— „__„ 

REESE  LIBRARY 

OF  mi. 

UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA 
Class  No. 


GREASE  THE  WAY 
TO£FICE 

Spend  Money  Like  Water  to 
Get  Nominations  at  Repub- 
lican State  Convention—One 
$3,000  Barrel  Is  Tapped, 

Defeated  Candidates  Whose 
Funds  Run  Out  Allege  That 
Their  Downfall  Is  Due  to  the 
Unscrupulous  Use  of  Cash, 


[Special  by  leased  wire,  the  longest  In  the  world.] 
INDIANAPOLIS,  April  24.— Money  flowed 
like  water  last  night  and  to-day  in  the  Re- 
publican Convention  in  this  city  and  thou- 
sands of  dollars  finally  reached  the  pockeU  j 
of  susceptible  delegates.    One  of  the  candi- 
dates for  State  office  drew  a  check  for  $3,000 
payable  to   himself,   sent  it   to  one  of  the 
local  banks  and  made  arrangements  to  have  ' 
it  cashed  without  sending  it  to  the  bank  in  j 
the  candidate's  home   town  for  collection. 
Part  of  the  sum  realized  was  used  last  night 
and  the  remainder  enriched  delegates  who  ; 
were  on   the  market   to-day.     Several  de-  j 
feated    candidates    whose    barrel    was  not  i 
large   enough  to  withstand  the  strain,  to-  | 
night  allege  their  defeat  was  due  to  the  un- 
scrupulous use  of  money.    One  county  chair- 
man is  said  to  have  solicited  expense  money 
for  the  boys  and  he  promised  to  cast  the  en- 
tire vote  of  his  delegation  for  the  man  fur- 
nishing the  funds. 

A  delegate  from  the  extreme  northern 
part  of  the  State  is  known  to  have  received 
$20  of  this  $3,000.  It  was  paid  to  him  to 
cover  his  expenses  in  coming  to  Indian- 
apolis. The  $3,000  that  wag  placed  on  tap 
by  this  particular  candidate  compelled  some 
of  the  more  parsimonious  candidates  to 
scatter  money.  Word  was  soon  passed  j 
ground  as  to  who  had  the  barrel  and  money  ! 


went  freely,  but  systematically.  It  was 
said  that  one  candidate,  who  ecaitered  the 
most  of  the  money,  had  notes  kept  as  to  who 
got  the  money  that  went  from  his  hands  and 
the  people  that  did  were  watched  in  the  con- 
vention. 

A  district  committeemau  said  that  never 
1n  the  history  of  Republican  State  conven- 
tions in  Indiana  did  so  much  money  pass  in 
such  few  hours. 

The  convention  adjourned  to-night  after 
nominating  the  following  ticket: 

Secretary  of  State,  Daniel  E.  Storms;  Au- 
ditor, David  E.  Sherrick;  Treasurer,  X.  U. 
Hill;  Attorney-General,  Charles  W.  Miller; 
State  Geologist,  Willis  S.  Blatchley;  State 
Statistician,  Benjamin  P.  Johnson;  Judge  Su- 
preme Court,  John  H.  Gillett;  Clerk  of  the 
Supreme  Court,  Robert  A.  Brown;  Superin- 
tendent of  Public  Instruction,  F.  A.  Cotton. 

The  Secretary  of  State,  State  Geologist, 
State  Statistician,  Judge  of  the  Supreme 
Court  and  Judges  of  the  Appellate  Court 
were  nominated  by  acclamation.  For  every 
other  position  on  the  ticket  there  were  ani- 
mated but  friendly  contests. 

The  resolutions  adopted  affirm  the  plat- 
form of  the  Republican  National  Conven- 
tion in  Philadelphia  in  1900,  indorse  the  Ad- 
ministration of  the  Republican  party  and 
President  Roosevelt,  deplore  the  deaths  of 
President  McKinley,  General  Benjamin  Har- 
rison and  Governor  James  A.  Mount,  favor 
reciprocity  with  Cuba  and  the  extension  of 
American  markets,  reaffirm  the  party's 
faith  in  protection  and  the  gold  standard, 
and  deal  with  the  Philippine  and  Chinese 
questions  and  trusts  in  the  following  terms: 
We  approve  the  course  of  the  administration 
n  establishing  peace  and  civil  government  in 
the  Philippine  Islands.  We  oppose  those  who 
continue  to  resist  the  authority  of  the  United 
States,  whether  openly  or  in  arms  in  the 
_  hilippines,  or  whether  openly  or  secretly  in 
the  United  States,  by  giving  sympathy  to  the 
nsurgents.  We  hold  to  the  doctrine  that 
American  sovereignty  must  be  respected 
within  the  United  States  and  all  territory  un- 
der its.  jurisdiction.  We  favor  the  establish- 
ment of  absolute  peace  in  the  Philippines'  and 
he  erection  of  civil  government  therein.  We 
nsist  that  the  people  of  the  islands  shall  be 
given  Increased  participation  in  the  adminis- 
ration  of  their  domestic  affairs,  as  they  shall 
demonstrate  intelligence  and  capacity  for  self- 
government. 

We  are  opposed  to  all  trusts  or  combinations 
of  capital  whose  purpose  or  effort  is  to  restrict 
business  or  control  prices.  And,  we  especially 
n ounce  those  whose  tendency  it  is  to  in- 
crease the  cost  of  living  and  the  necessaries  of  / 
life.  We  favor  legislation  to  prevent  such 
abuses.  We  approve  the  sincere  and  deter- 
mined effort  of  President  Roosevif  t  to  enforce 
the  laws  against  illegal  combinations  in  re- 
straint of  trade,  and  demand  that  administra- 
tive officers,  State  and  national,  shall  enforce 
the  laws  in  the  most  vigorous  mane  or,  FO  that 
the  legitimate  competition  shall  not  be  em- 
barrassed or  destroyed. 

\\v  approve  the  enactment  by  Congress  of 
legislation  which  will  debar  Chinese  from  gain- 
Jng  admission  to  the  United  States  to  the 
iujury  of  American  labor,  and  we  demand  the 
enforcement  of  immigration  Jaws  which  shall 
?xc!ude  all  unworthy  and  undesirable  immi- 
srants  whose  presence  menaces  our  citizenship 
)r  injures  our  wage  workers. 


STATE   PLATFORMS 


OF  THE 


TWO  DOMINANT 


Political  Parties  in  Indiana 


1850—1900 


COMPILED  BY 

W.  E.  HENRY,  STATE  LIBRARIAN 


PRIVATELY    PRINTED 


INDIANAPOLIS 

\go2 


COPYRIGHTED,  1902, 

BY 
WILLIAM  E.  HENRY. 


PRESS    OF 

WM.  B.   BURFORD, 

INDIANAPOLIS. 


PREFATORY  NOTE. 


Together  with  the  growing  interest  in  matters  historical  relating  to  our 
State  there  is  a  corresponding  demand  for  ready  access  to  all  documents 
relating  to  our  State's  history. 

Many  requests  for  statements  of  doctrine  set  forth  in  the  State  plat- 
forms of  the  two  dominant  political  parties  have  convinced  me  that  the 
publication  of  these  documents  in  a  compact  form  will  be  of  great  service 
to  all  who  are  interested  in  the  history  of  politics  in  Indiana.  Therefore 
this  publication. 

In  every  instance  except  three  the  text  from  which  each  document  is 
printed  is  that  found  in  the  State  organ  of  the  party  represented.  The 
Democratic  platforms  for  1856,  1866  and  1868  are  copied  from  a  Repub- 
lican paper,  as  I  have  been  unable  to  find  copies  of  the  Seminel  for  those 
dates. 

This  publication  covers  fifty  years,  and  includes  all  the  platforms  of 
the  two  parties  from  1850  to  1900;  but  the  first  conventions  after  January 
1,  1850,  occurred  in  1852,  and  provided  for  the  first  election  under  the  new 
Constitution  adopted  in  1851. 

The  arrangement  of  the  platforms  is  chronological,  and  is  also  alpha- 
betical following  the  order  in  which  they  stand  on  our  State  ballot. 

W..B.  HENRY. 

February,  1902. 


95273 

(3) 


STATE  PLATFORMS 

OF  THE 


Two  DOMINANT  POLITICAL  PARTIES 


DEMOCRATIC  PLATFORM,  J852. 

(Indiana  State  Sentinel,  February  26.) 

Resolved,  That  the  good  old  Democratic  principles,  to  wit:  a  strict  con- 
struction of  the  Constitution  and  no  assumption  of  doubtful  powers;  no 
encroachment  by  the  General  Government  on  the  proper  rights  of  the 
States;  no  connection  between  the  General  or  State  Governments  and 
Bunks;  no  connection  between  Church  and  State;  no  tariff  beyond  what  is 
strictly  necessary  for  revenue  purposes;  no  vast  system  of  internal  im- 
provements either  by  the  General  Government  or  by  States;  no  public 
debt,  either  by  the  General  Government  or  by  the  States,  except 
for  purposes  of  urgent  necessity;  no  grants  of  exclusive  chartered  privi- 
leges, by  special  legislation,  to  banks;  no  proscription  for  honest  opinions; 
a  simple  and  frugal  government,  securing  life,  liberty  and  the  pursuit  of 
happiness  with  the  least  possible  amount  of  legislation;  fostering  aid  to 
public  education;  are,  and  must  ever  remain,  the  true  watch- words  of  the 
Democratic  party;  with  which  inscribed  upon  our  banners,  we  have  often 
marched  to  victory;  with  which  embodied  in  the  legislation  of  our  coun- 
try, she  has  reached  her  present  power  and  prosperity;  and  that  we  receive 
and  recognize  as  members  of  the  great  Democratic  family,  all  men,  no  mat- 
ter what  their  creed  or  country,  who  acknowledge  in  theory  and  carry  out 
in  practice,  these  unchanging  principles;  the  same  yesterday,  today,  and 
forever. 

Resolved,  That  in  the  opinion  of  this  convention,  the  common  senti- 
ment of  the  people  of  Indiana,  sustains  and  endorses,  in  their  general 
tenor  and  intention,  each  and  all  of  that  series  of  Acts  of  Congress,  com- 
monly known  as  the  Compromise  measures:  that  it  recognizes,  in  their  suc- 
cess, an  earnest  of  security  and  perpetuity  to  our  glorious  Union;  and  that 
it  regards  our  present  tranquility,  after  dangerous  sectional  heart-burnings, 
as  the  best  evidence  of  the  wisdom  and  prudence  of  these  measures,  and 
the  best  proof,  that  they  should,  under  no  pretence,  be  disturbed. 

Resolved,  That,  according  to  the  soundest  principles  of  international 
law  sometimes  violated  but  not  the  less  universally  recognized  by  the 
civilized  world,  each  nation  has  an  inalienable  right  to  regulate  its  internal 
policy,  and  establish  such  form  of  government  as  it  pleases;  and  that  no 
nation  may  lawfully  interfere  with  the  domestic  concerns  of  another. 

•    Resolved,  That  if,  in  violation  of  the  acknowledged  code  which  governs 
the  family  of  nations,  one  nation,  interfering  by  force  of  arms,  seek  to  con- 

(5) 


Q  POLITICAL  PLATFORMS.  [1852 

trol,  or  dictate,  the  internal  policy  of  another,  the  aggressing  nation  places 
herself  without  the  pale  of  international  law;  and  any  third  nation  may 
lawfully  resent  and  resist  such  interference,  either  without  war,  as  by 
breaking  off  all  diplomatic  relations,  or  by  going  into  the  field,  and  repell- 
ing force  with  force. 

Resolved,  That  while  we  protest,  as  every  free  people  most  rightfully 
may,  against  the  recent  outrage  committed  by  Russia,  alike  upon  the  rights 
of  humanity  and  the  law  of  nations;  while  we  declare,  as  every  republican 
people  most  earnestly  should,  our  heartfelt  sympathy  with  the  cause  of  pop- 
ular freedom  and  equal -rights,  as  well  in  Hungaria  as  in  all  other  nations 
throughout  the  earth;  while,  with  no  stinted  hospitality  but  as  brethren 
in  a  great  and  good  cause,  we  welcome  to  our  homes  and  our  hearts,  those 
wrho  have  fought  Freedom's  battles  in  other  lands,  and  have  been  driven  by 
the  iron  hand  of  Despotism,  to  seek  refuge  on  our  shores;  we  deem  it  con- 
trary to  sound  policy  for  the  United  States  Government  in  exercise  of  an 
undoubted  right,  at  this  time,  10  pledge  our  people  either  to  interfere,  or 
not  to  interfere,  as  the  armed  champions  of  violated  international  law, 
among  the  distant  nations  of  Europe.  We  believe  it  to  be  in  accordance 
with  the  dictates  of  wisdom  and  of  prudence,  that  we  remain,  for  the 
present,  uncommitted  but  deeply  interested  spectators;  ready,  in  fitting 
season,  to  act  as  the  contingencies  of  the  World's  Future  (fraught,  as  it 
may  be,  with  national  convulsions,  unexampled  in  history),  may  hereafter 
demand,  at  our  hands. 

Resolved,  That  we  approve  and  endorse  the  administration  of  our  pres- 
ent Governor,  Joseph  A.  Wright,  and  that  we  pledge  to  him,  as  nominee 
for  re-election,  in  the  approaching  contest,  our  hearty  support. 

Resolved,  That  we  have  undiminished  confidence  in  the  undeviating 
and  well  tried  democracy  of  our  distinguished  and  able  Senators  in  Con- 
gress, James  Whitcomb  and  Jesse  D.  Bright,  and  that  wTe  fully  endorse 
their  senatorial  actions. 

Resolved,  That  Joseph  Lane,  the  State  Legislator,  the  gallant  General, 
the  Territorial  Governor,  tried  in  the  Council  Chamber,  tried  in  the  tented 
fields,  tried  in  the  executive  chair,  and  never  found  wanting,  is,  of  the 
People  of  Indiana,  the  first  choice  for  the  Presidency.  While  we  repose 
entire  confidence  alike  in  his  administrative  capacity,  in  his  firmness,  in 
his  honesty  of  purpose  and  in  his  unswerving  devotion  to  Democratic 
principles,  at  the  same  time  desiring  above  all  things  union  and  harmony 
in  the  support  of  the  nominee  of  the  National  Convention,  let  the  choice 
of  the  majority  fall  as  it  will,  and  fully  trusting  the  judgment  and  devo- 
tion to  principle  of  our  Delegates  to  that  Convention— 

•Resolved  further.  That  we  leave  said  Delegates  untrammeled  by  in- 
structions as  to  persons  to  act  as  their  convictions  of  right  and  propriety 
at  the  time,  may  dictate. 

Resolved  however,  That  in  casting  the  vote  of  the  State  for  President, 
the  said  Delegates  be  instructed  to  give  it,  throughout,  as  a  unit  and  not 
by  separate  districts:  the  name  of  the  person  so  voted  for,  to  be.  at  all 
times,  determined  by  the  majority  of  the  votes  of  said  Delegates. 

Resolved,  That  if  General  Joseph  Lane  be  the  Democratic  nominee  for 
President  of  the  National  Convention,  we  pledge  to  him  the  vote  of  Indi- 
ana,— of  that  State  the  honor  of  whose  sons  he  has  so  nobly  vindicated, — 
by  a  majority,  as  we  confidently  hope  and  truly  believe,  of  25,000  votes. 


1852]  INDIANA,  1850—1900. 


WHIG  PLATFORM,  J852. 

(Weekly  Indiana  State  Journal,  March  6.) 

1.  Resolved,  That  while  we  pledge  ourselves  to  support  the  nominees 
of  the  Whig-  National  Convention,  we  know  that  the  Whigs  of  Imli-um  are 
in  favor  of  the  nomination  of  Gen.  Winfield  Scott  as  the  Whig  cnn   idate 
for  the  Presidency;  and  that,  therefore,  we  hereby  instruct  our  delegates 
to  such  Convention  to  cast  the  united  vote  of  this  State  in  favor  of  the 
nomination  of  that  renowned  hero  and  patriot. 

2.  That  the  Whigs  of  Indiana  have  the  utmost  confidence  in  the  abil- 
ity, patriotism  and  integrity  of  John  J.  Crittenden,  that  his  opposition  to 
everything  tending  to  disunion,  his  long  known  and  tried  fidelity  to  the 
best  interest  of  the  whole  country  recommend  him  as  a  suitable  candidate 
for  Vice-President,  and  we  hereby  instruct  our  delegates  to  cast  the  vote 
of  Indiana  in  favor  of  the  nomination  of  that  distinguished  statesman  for 
that  office. 

3.  That  we  have  unabated  confidence  in  the  patriotism  and  integrity 
of  Millard  Fillmore,  President  of  the  United  States,  and  in  his  devotion  to 
what  he  believes  will  promote  the  prosperity  of  the  country. 

4.  That  in  relation  to  our  sympathy  for  Republicanism  and  free  princi- 
ples in  Europe,  we  re-affirm  the  resolution  of  the  Whig  State  Convention 
of  January,  1849,  which  is  as  follows: 

Resolved,  That  we  sympathize  warmly  with  the  Republican  move- 
ments of  the  Old  World,  where  the  flag  of  freedom  has  been  unfurled, 
after  a  long  night  of  political  and  social  gloom;  that  while  the  Patriots  of 
that  good  old  land  have  united,  the  league  of  Tyrants  has  been  formed — 
that  while  the  voice  of  the  people,  unaided  by  wealth,  has  gone  up  for  the 
political  regeneration  of  Europe,  the  Despotism  of  centuries,  strong  in  the 
elements  of  carnage  and  desolation,  has  put  forth  its  mighty  power  to 
crush  constitutional  freedom— that  while  all  looks  dark  and  gloomy  for  the 
cause  of  Liberty,  we  still  have  an  unshaken  reliance  that  Heaven  will,  in 
its  own  good  time  "bring  light  out  of  darkness,"  and  prepare  men  and  na- 
tions for  the  universal  brotherhood  of  Republican  Institutions.  To  our 
down-trodden  brethren  in  the  Old  World  we  would  say— 

"Bide  your  time — the  morn  is  breaking, 

Bright  with  FREEDOM'S  blessed  ray— 
•  Millions  from  their  trance  awaking, 

Soon  shall  stand  in  stern  array. 
Man  shall  fetter  man  no  longer, 
Liberty  shalt  march  sublime; 
Every  moment  makes  you  stronger- 
Firm,  unshrinking  bide  your  time." 

Resolved,  That  while  Europe  is  thus  convulsed,  and  her  patriots  scat- 
tered and  sent  into  exile— while  the  sons  who  would  regenerate  and  build 
up  the  dead  and  expiring  liberties  of  her  people,  are  banished  from  their 
native  land— while  the  so-called  Christian  Powers  of  Europe  look  on,  with 
cold  indifference,  at  the  expatriation  of  the  pure  of  heart  and  the  bold  of 


g  POLITICAL  PLATFORMS.  [1852 

spirit— we,  a  portion  of  the  people  of  a  Sovereign  American  State,  bid  a 
hearty  welcome  to  all  who  shall  seek  an  asylum  on  our  shores. 

5.  That  we  are  in  favor  of  an  economical  administration  of  the  Gen- 
eral Government;  and,  that  we  are  now,  as  always  heretofore,  in  favor  of 
a  Tariff  so  levied  as  to  furnish  a  sufficient  revenue  to  meet  the  expenses  of 
the  General  Government,  and,  at  the  same  time,  encourage  home  industry, 
thereby  preventing  our  being  drained  of  the  precious  metals  and  avoiding 
a  system  of  direct  taxation  upon  the  people. 

6.  That  the  unexampled  growth  and  increase  of  the  products  and 
commerce  of  the  great  West  imperiously  demand  at  the  hands  of  Congress 
liberal  appropriations  for  the  improvement  of  Western  rivers  and  har- 
bors; that  the  past  history  of  the  action  and  votes  of  the  Democratic  Mem- 
bers of  Congress  from  Indiana,  upon  the  subject  of  these  great  Western 
interests,  is  only  a  history  of  repeated  treachery  and  recreancy  to  the  best 
interests  of  a  deceived  and  outraged  constituency,  and  that  the  people  of 
Indiana  owe  it  to  themselves  and  to  the  great  West  with  which  they  are 
peculiarly  identified,  to  hurl  from  place  and  power  men  who  have  so 
basely  betrayed  them. 

7.  That  we  do  not  deem  it  necessary  to  further  reiterate  the  distinctive 
principles  of  the  Whig  party,  which  are  well  known,  in  the  success  of 
which  we  believe  the  prosperity  of  the  country  is  involved,  and  for  the 
triumph  of  which  in  the  approaching  contest  we  here  pledge  ourselves  to 
each  other  and  to  the  country. 

8.  That  the  Democratic  party  of  this  State,  since  it  came  into  power, 
has  been  characterized  by  a  wasteful  and  reckless  extravagance,  showing 
a  total  disregard  of  that  economy  of  expenditures  which  should  be  ob- 
served by  and  be  required  of  the  public  servants  of  a  hard-working  people 
—especially,  when  taking  into  consideration  the  large  indebtedness  of  the 
State  and  the  positive  necessity  of  husbanding  all  resources. 

9.  That  the  geographical  position  of  Cincinnati  is  such  as  to  insure  a 
more  general  attendance  of  delegates  than  any  other  point:  and  that  we 
earnestly  recommend  that  it  be  selected  as  the  place  of  holding  the  Whig 
National  Convention,  and  that  Thursday,  the  17th  of  June  next,  be  fixed 
as  the  time  at  which  said  convention  shall  assemble. 


1854]  INDIANA,  1850—1900. 


DEMOCRATIC  PLATFORM,  J854. 

(The  Indianapolis  Sentinel,  May  26.) 

Resolved,  That  the  Democrats  of  Indiana,  fully  approve  of  the  princi- 
ples of  the  act  extending  the  laws  of  the  United  States  over  and  organ- 
izing the  Territories  of  Nebraska  and  Kansas. 

2.  Resolved,  That  we  concur  in  the  opinion  that  it  is  not  properly 
within  the  jurisdiction  of  Congress  to  determine  the  provisions  of  the  Con- 
stitution of  a  State,  further  than  to  require  that  it  be  a  republican  form, 
but  on  the  contrary,  that  the  people  do  possess  the  right  and  power  to 
.adopt  such  form  of  government  as  they  may  deem  best  suited  to  their 
views  and  wants;  and  that  this  right  should  be  recognized  as  one  of  the 
fundamental  principles  of  self-government. 

3.  Resolved,  That  this  Convention  is  distinctly  opposed  to  that  pro- 
vision of  the  Nebraska  and  Kansas  Bill,  commonly  known  as  the  Clayton 
amendment,  which  made  a  distinction  between  native  born  and  foreign 
inhabitants,  who  may  be  residents  of  the  Territories,  and  feel  gratified  that 
the  efforts  of  the  Democracy  have  been  successful  in  expunging  that  odious 
feature  from  the  act. 

4.  Resolved,  That  intemperance  is  a  great  moral  and  social  evil,  for 
the  restraint  and  correction  of  which  legislative  interposition  is  necessary 
and  proper:  but  that  we  can  not  approve  of  any  plan  for  the  eradication 
or  correction  of  this  evil  that  must  necessarily  result  in  the  infliction  of 
greater  ones;  and  that  we  are  therefore  opposed  to  any  law  upon  this  sub- 
ject that  will  authorize  the  searching  for  or  seizure,  confiscation,  and  de- 
struction of  private  property. 

5.  Resolved,  That  we  regard  all  political  organizations,  based  upon  the 
single  idea  of  temperance  reform,  as  dangerous  to  the  perpetuity  of  our 
republican  form  of  government,  by  withdrawing  the  attention  of  the  peo- 
ple from  the  great  political  principles  upon  which  it  is  founded;  and  that 
we  most  earnestly  appeal  to  our  fellow  Democrats,  throughout  the  State, 
to  adhere,  in  the  selection  of  members  of  the  legislature,  to  the  practice 
of  choosing  such  men  as  will  make  these  great  principles  of  Democratic 
policy,  under  the  influence  of  which  this  country  has  been  brought  to  its 
present  elevated  and  prosperous  condition,  paramount  to  all  other  con- 
siderations. 

G.  Resolved,  That  we  have  full  faith  and  confidence  in  the  wisdom, 
patriotism  and  ability  of  Franklin  Pierce,  President  of  the  United  States, 
and  that  we  fully  approve  of  the  principles  laid  down  in  his  Inaugural 
Message,  and  his  message  to  Congress,  and  that  we  most  truly  and  cor- 
dially endorse  the  general  policy  of  his  Administration,  as  carried  out  In 
conformity  with  the  principles  laid  down  in  said  message. 

7.  Resolved,  That  Judge  Douglas  of  the  U.  S.  Senate  is  entitled  to, 
and  receives  our  hearty  thanks,  for  so  ably  advocating  the  principle  of 
non-intervention,  as  contained  in  the  Kansas  and  Nebraska  bill,  and  that 
we  cordially  endorse  the  action  of  our  Senators  and  Representatives  in 
sustaining  the  same. 


10  POLITICAL  PLATFORMS.  [1854 

8.  Resolved,  That  the  Democracy  of  Indiana  still  adhering;  to  the  Con- 
stitution of  the  Confederacy  openly  and  avowedly  condemn  any  organiza- 
tion, secret  or  otherwise  that  would  aim  to  disrobe  any  citizen,  native,  or 
adopted,  of  his  political,  civil,  or  religious  liberty. 


PEOPLE'S  PLATFORM  (REPUBLICAN),  J854. 

(The  Indianapolis  Journal,  July  14.) 

Whereas,  We  the  freemen  of  Indiana,  without  respect  to  party,  and 
actuated  by  a  common  devotion  to  our  Republic,  and  a  common  reverence 
for  its  founders,  have  assembled  ourselves  together  in  commemoration 
01  the  passage  of  the  Ordinance  of  July  13th,  1787,  consecrating  the  N.  W. 
Territory  to  freedom;  and  whereas,  the  unanimous  adoption  of  said  Ordi- 
nance, by  the  Representatives  of  all  the  States  in  the  Union,  at  that 
date,  clearly  evinces  that  opposition  to  the  extension  of  Slavery,  to  the 
extent  of  Constitutional  power,  was  the  fixed  policy  of  our  fathers;  and, 
whereas,  we  regard  the  recent  repeal  of  the  8th  section  of  the  ''Missouri 
Compromise,"  as  a  gross  and  wanton  violation  of  the  faith  of  the  Union, 
plighted  to  a  solemn  compact,  restricting  the  extension  of  Slavery. 
Therefore, 

Resolved,  That  we  are  uncompromisingly  opposed  to  the  extension 
of  slavery;  and  further,  that  we  utterly  deprecate  and  repudiate  the  plat- 
form of  principles  adopted  by  the  self-styled  'Democratic  Convention  on 
the  24th  day  of  May  last,  endorsing  and  approving  the  Kansas-Nebraska 
Iniquity. 

Resolved,  That  wre  will  waive  all  former  party  predilections,  and,  in 
concert,  by  all  lawful  means  seek  to  place  every  branch  of  the  Federal 
Government  in  the  hands  of  men  who  will  assert  the  rights  of  Freedom, 
restore  the  Missouri  Compromise,  and  refuse,  under  all  circumstances, 
to  tolerate  the  extension  of  Slavery  into  Territories  secured  to  Freedom 
by  that  Compromise. 

Resolved,  That  we  regard  Intemperance  as  a  great  political,  moral  and 
social  evil— a  legitimate  subject  of  legislation— and  that  we  are  in  favor 
of  the  passage  of  a  Judicious,  Constitutional  and  Efficient  Prohibitory 
Law,  with  such  penalties  as  shall  effectually  suppress  the  traffic  in  intoxi- 
cating liquors  as  a  beverage. 

Resolved,  That  we  utterly  condemn  the  abusive  attacks  which  have 
recently  been  made,  from  various  quarters,  on  the  Protestant  ministry  of 
the  country.  We  cherish  with  gratitude,  and  pleasure,  the  memory  of  their 
patriotic  zeal  in  the  Revolutionary  struggle,  and  we  recognize  in  the  min- 
istry of  the  country  the  worthy  sons  of  such  illustrious  sires. 


1856]  INDIANA,  .1850— 1900. 


DEMOCRATIC  PLATFORM,  1856. 

(Tlie  Indianapolis  Journal,  January  9.) 

Resolved,  That  the  Democratic  party  of  the  State,  here  in  conven- 
tion assembled,  in  conformity  with  established  usage,  and  with  a  firm 
reliance  in  the  virtue  and  intelligence  of  the  people,  submit  the  following- 
declaration  of  principles. 

Resolved,  We  approve  the  principles  of  the  compromise  measure  in 
1850,  and  their  application  as  embodied  in  the  Kansas-Nebraska  bill,  and 
will  faithfully  maintain  them. 

Resolved,  We  recognize  the  great  body  of  the  people  as  the  only 
tribunal  for  the  decision  of  questions  affecting  their  government,  both  as 
to  men  and  measures;  and  open  appeals  to  their  reason  and  patriotism  as 
the  legitimate  means  of  influencing  their  action;  and  we  utterly  condemn 
all  associations  and  combinations  for  political  purposes  formed  to  govern 
them  by  oaths  and  obligations;  or  other  compulsory  means,  or  to  impair 
the  exercise  of  free  will,  and  independent  judgment  among  them.  And 
we  hold  in  abhorrence  all  secret  political  orders  and  organizations,  deem- 
ing them  dangerous  to  the  stability  of  government  and  the  rights  of  the 
people. 

Resolved.  We  are  in  favor  of  religious  toleration,  as  the  founders  of 
our  republican  institutions  achieved  and  understood  it,  and  secured  its 
enjoyment  by  constitutional  guaranties;  and  we  declare  that  it  ought  to 
be  maintained  free  from  invasion  either  by  means  of  legislative  interfer- 
ence, or  the  equally  tyrannical  proscription  of  political  parties,  founded  on 
bigotry  and  ideas  of  intolerance. 

Resolved,  While  we  esteem  it  the  duty  of  government  to  roster  and 
protect  religion  Avithout  invidious  preferences,  leaving  all  free  to  choose 
among  denominations  according  to  their  consciences;  and  while  we  esteem 
it  the  part  of  true  religion,  under  every  form,  to  render  allegiance  and  due 
support  to  government,  recognizing  the  constitution  as  the  supreme  law 
in  all  temporal  and  political  concerns;  we  hold  the  separate  administration 
or  the  affairs  of  Church  and  State,  essential  to  prevent  that  union  of  the 
two,  which  experience  has  shown  to  be  pernicious  to  both,  and  the  worst 
form  of  Tyranny. 

Resolved,  That  while  we  are  in  favor  of  Sobriety  and  Temparance 
and  of  all  proper  means  for  the  promotion  of  those  virtues,  we  are  uncon- 
ditionally opposed  to  the  Prohibitory  Liquor  Law  passed  at  the  last  ses- 
sion of  the  General  Assembly  of  this  State,  and  to  any  enactment  embody- 
ing the  oppressive  and  arbitrary  provision  of  that  law. 

Resolved,  That  our  naturalization  laws,  our  republican  institutions, 
our  marvelous  growth  of  national  greatness  and  the  happiness  of  our  peo- 
ple, have  been  and  are  irresistible  inducements  and  invitations  to  the 
inhabitants  of  less  favored  lands  to  become  citizens  of  ours;  and  that 
past  experience,  justice,  sound  policy,  and  national  pride,  all  concur  to 
favor  the  continuance  of  our  present  naturalization  laws;  that  if  any 
abuses  have  grown  up  under  those  laws,  they  have  sprung  from  their 
imperfect  execution  alone,  and  not  from  inherent  defects  in  the  laws  them- 
selves, and  that  we  are  in  favor  of  that  policy  which  will  soonest  assimi- 


12  POLITICAL  PLATFORMS.  [1856 

late  naturalized  citizens  with  the  mass  of  our  people,  and  opposed  to  that 
anti-American  and  illiberal  policy  which  proscribes  the  foreign  born  citi- 
zen for  the  accident  of  birth,  and  drives  him  to  self-defence,  to  antagonism 
with  our  native  born  citizens  in  feeling,  political  opinions  and  ctmduct. 

Resolved,  That  the  gallant  band  of  Democrats  in  Congress,  who 
throughout  the  protracted  and  yet  pending  contest  for  the  organization  of 
the  House  of  Representatives,  have  so  nobly  illustrated  the  National 
character  of  the  Democratic  party  by  their  unanimous  adherence  to  its 
principles,  maintaining  alone  an  unbroken  front,  while  the  faction  of  the 
opposition,  destitute  of  a  common  principle  to  bind  them  together,  are 
disunited  and  discordant— have  deserved  well  of  their  country,  and  ren- 
dered the  most  emphatic  testimony  to  the  excellence  of  their  political 
creed— that  our  sympathies  are  with  them,  and  that  we  look  to  them 
with  proud  confidence  to  maintain  unsullied  the  honor  of  their  country,  and 
to  surrender  nothing  for  a  coalition  with  factions  opposed  to  civil  and 
religious  liberty,  and  to  the  constitution  of  their  country. 

Resolved,  That  the  Democracy  of  Indiana  have  undiminished  confi- 
dence in  the  Hon.  Jesse  D.  Bright,  our  Senator  in  Congress,  and  while 
we  are  ready  cheerfully  and  enthusiastically  to  support  for  the  Presi- 
dency in  the  approaching  election  whoever  may  be  selected  as  the  candi- 
date for  that  office  by  the  Democratic  National  Convention,  from  whatever 
quarter  of  the  Union  he  may  come— if  the  north-west  is  honored  with 
that  distinction  we  present  the  name  of  the  Hon.  Jesse  D.  Bright  to  that 
convention,  and  to  the  Democracy  of  the  Union,  as  a  suitable  candidate, 
and  one  whom  the  Democracy  of  Indiana  delight  to  honor. 

Resolved,  That  we  approve  of  the  administration  of  the  State  Govern- 
ment by  His  Excellency  Joseph  A.  Wright,  and  that  his  integrity,  ability, 
and  executive  talents  have  fully  met  the  expectations  of  the  Democratic 
party  of  Indiana,  and  won  for  him  increased  confidence  and  gratitude  from 
the  people. 

Resolved,  That  the  Democracy  of  Indiana  assert  as  a  principle  in 
which  the  rights  and  interests  of  the  United  States  are  involved,  that 
the  American  Continent  by  the  free  and  independent  condition  which  it 
occupies  is  not  to  be  considered  subject  for  colonization  by  any  European 
Powers  and  that  they  cordially  endorse  the  position  taken  by  President 
Pierce  in  his  late  message  to  Congress  on  that  subject. 

Resolved,  That  the  entire  vote  of  the  delegates  from  this  State,  be 
cast  as  an  unit  in  the  National  Convention  and  that  a  majority  of  the 
delegation  shall  control  the  entire  vote  of  the  State. 


1858J  INDIANA,  1850—1900.  13 


PEOPLE'S  PLATFORM  (REPUBLICAN),  J856. 

(The  Indianapolis  Journal,  May  2.) 

The  People  of  Indiana  consisting  of  all  who  are  opposed  to  the  policy 
of  the  present  Federal  administration,  assembled  in  Convention  at  the 
capital  of  the  State,  now  submit  to  the  people  the  following  platform  of 
principles: 

Resolved,  That  we  are  uncompromisingly  opposed  to  the  extension  of 
slavery;  and  that  we  utterly  repudiate  the  platform  of  principles  adopted 
by  the  self-styled  Democratic  Convention  of  this  State  endorsing  and 
approving  the  Kansas-Nebraska  iniquity. 

Resolved,  That  we  will  resist  by  all  proper  means  the  admission  of 
any  Slave  State  into  this  Union  formed  out  of  the  Territories  secured  to 
freedom  by  the  Missouri  Compromise,  or  otherwise. 

Resolved,  That  we  are  in  favor  of  the  immediate  admission  of  Kansas 
as  a  free  State. 

Resolved,  That  we  are  in  favor  of  the  Naturalization  Laws  of  Con- 
gress with  the  five  years  probation,  and  that  the  right  of  suffrage  should 
accompany  and  not  precede  naturalization. 

Resolved,  That  we  believe  the  General  Assembly  of  the  State  have  the 
power  to  prohibit  the  sale  of  intoxicating  liquors  as  a  beverage,  and  that 
we  are  in  favor  of  a  constitutional  law  which  will  effectually  suppress  the 
evils  of  intemperance. 


DEMOCRATIC  PLATFORM,  J858. 

(The  Indianapolis  Sentinel,  January  9.) 

1.  Resolved,  That  the  Constitution  of  the  United  States,  and  every 
part  thereof,  together  with  the  laws  of  Congress  in  aid  of  its  wise  and 
patriotic   provisions,   commands   and  receives   our  cordial  devotion   and 
support. 

2.  Resolved,  That  we  recognize  in  the  early  doctrines  of  the  Republic 
an   absolute  and  entire  equality   among  the   States  of  this   Union,   and 
among  the  citizens  of  the  several  States,  as  respects  all  the  rights  and  priv- 
ileges which  make  American  citizenship  valuable,  and  to  those  doctrines 
wTe  now  anew  pledge  ourselves  and  the  faith  of  our  party. 

3.  Resolved,  That  for  Indiana,  AVC  assert  the  right  to  maintain  and 
control  her  domestic  institutions  in  her  own  way,   subject  only  to  the 
Constitution  of  the  United  States,  and  what  we  claim  for  ourselves  we 
concede  to  others. 

4.  Resolved,  That  the  right  of  the  people  of  any  State  in  this  Union 
to  mould  their  laws  and  institutions  to  suit  themselves,  and  not  others, 
being  an  unquestioned  right  it  follows  that  the  manner  in  which  they  per- 
form this  high  duty  to  themselves  is  not  a  proper  subject  for  the  dictation 
of  any  sister  State  or  of  all  the  States  of  the  Confederacy  in  Congress 


14  POLITICAL  PLATFORMS.  [1853 

assembled,  save  only  that  the  Constitution  and  the  laws  of  the  United 
States  shall  not  be  violated. 

5.  Resolved,  That  we  endorse  and  reaffirm  the  Platform  laid  down  by 
the  National  Democratic  Convention  of  1856,  as  embodying  the  spirit  and 
the  letter  of  the  law  of  our  political  gravitation,  which  constitutes  the 
Union  as  it  is;  holds  each  State  in  its  own  particular  sphere,  and  reduces 
the  theory  of  self-government  to  a  practical  reality. 

6.  Resolved,  That  we  also  endorse  and  reaffirm  the  platform  laid  down 
by  the  Indiana  Democratic  State  Convention  of  the  8th  of  January,  1856; 
and  we  hail  the  rich  memories  of  past  victories  achieved  upon  its  prin- 
ciples as  bright  omens  to  cheer  us  in  the  campaign  of  1858. 

7.  Resolved,  That  in  the  late  decision  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  the 
United  States,  known  as  the  Dred  Scott  decision,  we  recognize  a  legal 
exposition  of  the  doctrines  of  the  Constitution  of  the  United  States  and 
of  the  State  of  Indiana,  and  we  hereby  denounce  and  hold  up  to  the  uni- 
versal execration  and  scorn  of  all  loyal  American  citizens  the  loathsome 
uoctrine  of  "negro  equality"  now  sustained  and  endorsed  by  the  so-called 
Republican  party  of  Indiana,  as  a  natural  and  inevitable  consequence  of 
their  opposition  to  the  decision  of  the  Supreme  Court  above  named. 

8.  Resolved,  That  the  unanimous  action  of  the  Democratic  members 
of  the  last  Indiana  Legislature  in  the  election  of  Senators  in  Congress  is  by 
the  Democratic  party  of  Indiana  cordially  approved,  fully  endorsed  and 
firmly  sustained  and  that    Jesse  D.  Bright    and    Graham  N.   Pitch,  the 
Senators-elect,  are  worthy  the  high  position  in  which  they  were  unani- 
mously placed  by  their  party. 

9.  Resolved,  That  we  arraign  the  Black  Republican  party  of  Indiana 
before  the  people  for  sustaining  the  members  of  that  party  in  the  last 
Legislature  of  this  State  in  the  commission  of  the  following  enormous 
outrages  upon  the  public  and  private  rights: 

1st.  Creating  a  revolution  in  the  first  step  towards  the  organization 
of  the  State  and  violating  the  constitution  and  the  law  by  attempting  to 
supplant  the  legal  presiding  officer  of  that  body  with  one  of  their  own 
number. 

2d.  Refusing  in  open  defiance  of  the  constitution  and  in  flagrant  vio- 
lation of  their  oaths  to  meet  in  joint  convention  and  be  present  at  the  can- 
vass of  votes  for  Governor  and  Lieutenant-Governor  when  counted  by 
the  Speaker  of  the  House  of  Representatives. 

3d.  Meeting  without  a  quorum  and  without  a  presiding  officer,  and 
expelling  the  Senator  from  Clark  county  thereby  making  a  mockery  of  the 
Constitution,  breaking  their  oaths  as  Senators,  and  in  all  their  councils 
calling  to  their  aid  the  evil  spirit  of  anarchy  which  has  in  every  age 
involved  nations  in  bloodshed  and  overthrow. 

4th.  Voting  more  than  one  hundred  times  by  a  strict  party  vote 
against  appropriating  money  to  defray  the  expenses  of  the  Benevolent 
Institutions  of  the  State,  thereby  closing  the  doors  of  charity  and  sending 
the  Deaf,  the  Dumb,  the  Blind,  and  the  Insane  abroad  in  the  world  without 
the  protection  which  humanity  dictates  and  Indiana  gives  to  them. 

5th.  Voting  more  than  one  hundred  times  by  a  strict  party  vote 
against  a  Revenue  Bill  and  an  Assessment  Bill,  thereby  attempting  to 
prostrate  the  State  government,  to  bring  her  into  dishonor  at  home  and 
abroad  by  failing  to  pay  the  interest  on  the  State  debt,  as  provided  for 


1858]  INDIANA,  1850—1900.  ^5 

and  made  obligatory  by  the  Constitution,  and  inflicting  other  grievous 
injustices  upon  her  citizens. 

(5th.  Refusing  to  join  and  assist  in  the  election  of  Senators  in  Con- 
gress, thereby  setting  at  naught  the  will  of  the  majority  of  the  voters  of 
Indiana  as  expressed  at  the  ballot-box  October  14th,  1856. 

7th.  Attempting,  as  far  as  in  their  power  lay,  to  legalize  gross,  pal- 
pable, and  wicked  frauds  upon  the  elective  franchise;  recognizing  and  re- 
ceiving from  the  counties  of  Rush,  Fountain  and  Marion  persons  as  Sen- 
ators conclusively  proven  in  legal  investigations  to  have  been  elected  by 
illegal,  hired,  and  perjured  voters;  stifling  the  voice  of  inquiry  into  their 
pretended  and  usurped  right  to  their  seats  as  Senators,  in  the  face  of 
legally  instituted  contests  in  each  instance.  Thus  alone  enabling  the 
party  in  which  the  said  spurious  and  illegally  elected  Senators  belonged, 
to  inflict  their  spirit  of  misrule  upon  the  State;  and  finally  sending  forth 
to  the  world  a  forgery  upon  the  Journals  of  the  Senate  by  which  to  cover 
up  their  high-handed  villainy,  and  avert  from  themselves  if  possible  the 
just  indignation  of  all  honest  men. 

For  the  foregoing  and  other  crimes  against  the  Constitution,  the  laws, 
public  virtue,  the  popular  will  and  good  government,  we  ask  the  trial  of 
the  so-called  Republican  party  before  a  jury  of  the  people  of  Indiana  in  the 
coming  canvass,  and  for  judgment  against  them  at  the  polls  in  October, 
1858. 

10.  Resolved,  That  James  Buchanan  was  the  first  choice  of  the  Democ- 
racy of  Indiana  for  the  Chief  Magistracy  of  this  Republic  at  the  Nomi- 
nating Convention  in  June,  1850,  and  of  the  people  of  the  State  at  the 
ballot  box   in   the  ensuing   November,   and  nothing  which   he  has   done 
since  his  elevation  to  the  high  position  which  he  now  occupies  has  abated 
or  diminished  our  confidence  in  his  ability,  integrity,  patriotism  and  states- 
manlike qualities,   and   we  cordially   approve  and  endorse  his   adminis- 
tration. 

11.  Resolved,  That  we  endorse  and  approve  the  administration  of  our 
State  government  as  conducted  by  Ashbel  P.   Willard,  the  hero  of  the 
fierce  fought  fight  of  185(3. 

12.  Resolved,  That  harmony  being  essential  to  the  strength  and  support 
of  the  Democratic  party,  we  take  for  our  motto,  "The  union  of  the  Demo- 
cratic party  for  the  sake  of  the  Union  of  the  State. 


POLITICAL  PLATFORMS.  [1858 


REPUBLICAN  PLATFORM,  J858. 

(The  Indianapolis  Journal,  March  5.) 

1.  That  our   National   Government  ought  to  be   so   administered  as 
to  promote  harmony  between  the  different  sections  of  our  country,  secure 
the  affections  of  all  the  people  of  the  United  States,  and  command  the  re- 
spect of  the  nations  of  the  earth. 

2.  That  the  people  of  a  territory  when  they  come  to  form  a  constitu- 
tion preparatory  to  their  admission  into  the  Union  as  a  State  have  the 
right  to  adopt  such  a  constitution,  being  Republican  in  form,  as  may  be 
acceptable  to  themselves,  and  that  no  State  ought  to  be  received  into  the 
Union  before  the  constitution  thereof  has  been  fully  and  fairly  submitted 
to  the  people  for  their  adoption  or  rejection  and  received  the  approval  of 
the  majority  of  its  legal  voters. 

3.  That  the  attempt  now  being  so  persistently  made  by  the  present 
administration  to  impose  upon  Kansas  the  Lecompton  Constitution,  noto- 
riously obnoxious  to  the  great  majority  of  her  citizens  and  with  no  other 
object  than  to   force  upon  them   institutions   against  which   they   have 
repeatedly   and   most   earnestly  protested,   is   a   gross   outrage  upon  the 
rights  of  the  people  of  the  territory,  and  calculated  to  disturb  the  peace 
and  harmony  of  the  country. 

4.  That  freedom  is  national  and  slavery  sectional,  and  that  we  do 
most  earnestly  protest  against  and  denounce  the  dangerous  and  alarming 
doctrine  first  promulgated  by  the  disunionists  and  nullifiers  of  the  South, 
that  the  Constitution  of  the  United  States  of  itself  carries  slavery  into, 
and  protects  it  in,  all  the  territories  of  the  United  States  and  this  doctrine 
and  all  its  supporters,  maintainers  and  defenders,  whether  in  or  out  of 
Authority,  we  here  pledge  ourselves  to  resist  and  oppose,  as  enemies  to 
the  peace  and  welfare  of  the  country. 

5.  That  we  re-affirm  the  doctrine,  that  Congress  has  the  constitutional 
power  to  exclude  slavery  from  the  national  territories,  notwithstanding 
the  extra  judicial  opinion  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  the  United  States  to 
the  contrary. 

6.  That  we  disclaim  any  right  to  interfere  with  slavery  in  the  States 
where  it  exists  under  the  shield  of  State  Sovereignty,  but  we  oppose  now, 
as  heretofore,  its  extension  into  any  of  the  territories,  and  will  use  all 
proper  and  constitutional  means  to  prevent  such  extension. 

7.  That  we  do  not  struggle  for  a  mere  party  triumph,  but  for  the 
right,  and.  the  good  of  our  whole  country,  and  that  we  honor  those  po- 
litical opponents  who  have  had  the  manliness  to  place  themselves  in  oppo- 
sition to  the  administration  in  its  assault  upon  the  fundamental  principles 
of  American  liberty. 

8.  That  Jesse  D.  Bright  and  Graham  N.  Fitch  are  not  of  right  the 
representatives  of  this  State  in  the  Senate  of  the  United  States,  and  ought 
to  be  immediately  ousted  therefrom. 

9.  That  we  will  always  resist  the  scheme  of  selfish  and  unscrupulous 
persons,  high  in  power,  having  for  its  object  the  re-transfer  of  the  Wabash 
and  Erie  Canal  from  bondholders  to  the  State. 

10.  That  we  are  in  favor  of  granting  to  actual  settlers  on  the  public 
lands  a  homestead  of  at  least  100  acres. 


1860]  INDIANA,  1850—1900.  17 


DEMOCRATIC  RESOLUTIONS,  J860. 

(The  Indianapolis  Sentinel,  January  13.) 

Resolved,  That  our  Federal  government  is  one  of  limited  power,  de- 
rived solely  from  the  Constitution;  that  the  grants  of  power  made  therein 
ought  to  be  strictly  construed  by  all  departments  and  agents  of  the 
government,  and  that  it  is  inexpedient  and  dangerous  to  exercise  doubtful 
Constitutional  powers. 

Resolved,  That  now,  as  heretofore,  claiming  fellowship  with  and  ear- 
nestly desiring  the  co-operation  of  all  who  regard  the  preservation  of  the 
Union  and  the  Constitution  as  the  paramount  issue  we  again  declare  our 
utter  repudiation  of  all  sectional  parties  and  platforms  concerning  do- 
mestic slavery  which  tend  to  embroil  the  State,  and  incite  to  treason  and 
armed  resistance  to  law,  and  whose  avowed  purposes,  if  consummated, 
must  end  in  disunion  and  civil  war. 

Resolved,  That  the  history  of  the  past  fully  attests  the  correctness 
and  wisdom  of  the  adoption  by  the  American  Democracy  of  the  principles 
contained  in  the  organic  laws  establishing  the  Territories  of  Kansas  and 
Nebraska  as  embodying  the  only  safe  and  sound  solution  of  the  slavery 
question  upon  which  the  great  National  idea  of  the  people  of  the  whole 
country  can  repose  in  its  determined  conservatism  of  the  Union:  non-inter- 
ference by  Congress  with  slavery  in  State  or  Territory,  or  in  the  District 
of  Columbia. 

Resolved.  That  it  has  been  fully  demonstrated  that  by  the  uniform  ap- 
plication of  this  Democratic  principle  to  the  organization  of  Territories, 
and  to  the  admission  of  new  States  with  or  without  domestic  slavery,  as 
they  may  elect,  the  equal  rights  of  all  the  States  may  be  preserved  intact; 
the  original  compacts  of  the  Constitution  maintained  inviolate,  and  the 
perpetuity  and  expansion  of  the  Union  insured  to  its  utmost  capacity; 
embracing,  in  peace  and  harmony,  every  future  American  State  that  may 
be  constituted  or  annexed  with  a  Republican  form  of  government. 

Resolved,  That,  in  the  harmony  and  union  of  the  Democratic  party 
consists  the  strongest  bond  of  union  among  the  several  States  of  this 
confederacy;  and  that  the'  harmony  and  union  of  our  party  can  only  be 
maintained  by  a  strict  observance  of,  and  faithful  adherence  to,  the  estab- 
lished rules  and  regulations  of  the  party;  therefore,  be  it  further  resolved, 
that,1  in  the  contest  now  going  on  for  the  election  of  Speaker  in  the  House 
of  Representatives,  at  Washington,  it  is  the  imperative  duty  of  every 
Democrat  from  Indiana  to  stand  firmly  by,  and  support  by  his  vote  for 
that  office,  the  regular  nominee  of  the  Democratic  party. 

Resolved,  That  it  is  the  deliberate  opinion  of  this  convention  that  the 
subject  of  slavery  has  been  too  long  mingled  with  party  politics,  and  as 
the  result  has  been  the  creation  of  sectional  parties,  contrary  to  the  advice, 
letter  and  spirit  of  the  Farewell  Address  of  the  father  of  our  common  coun- 
try; that  therefore  it  is  the  duty  of  every  citizen,  North  and  South,  East 
and  West,  to  discountenance  all  parties  and  organizations  that  thus  violate 
the  spirit  of  the  Constitution  and  the  advice  of  Washington. 

Resolved,  That  recognizing  its  importance,  a  measure  of  great  national 
interest  in  securing  our  ascendancy  in  the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  and  maintaining 

2— Platforms. 


}g  POLITICAL  PLATFORMS.  [1800 

a  permanent  protection  to  American  commerce,  we  shall  hail  with  satis- 
faction the  success  of  any  efforts  which  may  be  made  by  the  present,  or 
any  future  administration,  for  the  honorable  and  peaceful  acquisition  of 
Cuba. 

Resolved,  That  any  distinction  amongst  citizens  on  account  of  their 
religion  or  place  of  birth,  continues  to  be  utterly  reprobated  by  the  Indiana 
Democracy,  in  common  with  their  brethren  of  the  other  States,  as  neither 
justified  by  the  past  history  or  future  prospects  of  the  country,  nor  in 
unison  with  the  spirit  of  toleration  and  enlarged  freedom  which  peculiarly 
distinguishes  the  American  system  of  government;  and  that  we  mast  ear- 
nestly denounce  the  unjust  and  disparaging  imputation  upon  the  character 
of  our  foreign  born  population,  contained  in  the  recent  enactments  in- 
corporated in  the  laws  of  that  State  by  the  so-called  Republicans  of  Massa- 
chusetts, whereby  a  class  of  white  men  whose  rights  are  entitled  to  equal 
respect  with  those  of  all  others,  are  deprived  of  privileges  and  immunities 
accorded  even  to  the  negro,  and  whereby  a  most  odious  example  has  been 
set,  from  which  that  party,  if  successful  in  retaining  power,  may  feel 
justified  in  perpetrating,  there  and  elsewhere,  new  aggressions  and  out- 
rages on  that  portion  of  our  population. 

Resolved,  That  the  incipient  efforts  foreshadowed  by  the  opposition, 
or  so-called  Republican  party,  to  kindle  anew  the  fires  of  fanaticism  with 
a  view  to  the  establishment  of  such  laws  as  are  calculated  to  infringe  on 
the  constitutional  rights  of  the  people  in  determining  what  they  shall  eat 
and  what  they  shall  drink  or  wherewith  they  shall  be  clothed,  will  here- 
after as  heretofore  meet  with  our  most  persistent  opposition. 

Resolved,  That  the  Democracy  of  Indiana  entertain  a  high  appreciation 
of  the  ability  and  capacity  of  our  distinguished  Chief  Magistrate,  James 
Buchanan,  and  that  he  has  our  patriotic  wishes  for  the  success  of  his  ad- 
ministration, and  that  we  will  on  all  proper  occasions  defend  his  action 
when  carrying  out  the  principles  of  the  Democratic  party  against  the 
unjust  and  unprincipled  attacks  of  the  Republican  party. 

Resolved,  That  we  appreciate  the  past  labors  of  our  present  State 
Executive,  Ashbel  P.  Willard,  in  behalf  of  Democratic  principles,  and 
congratulate  him  upon  the  success  which  has  attended  his  administration. 

Resolved,  That  as  a  statesman  of  tried  character,  and  a  citizen  in 
whom  all  sections  of  the  Union  may  confide  tneir  interests,  as  the  friend 
and  supporter  of  our  rights  at  home  and  our  honor  abroad,  and  in 
the  sincere  conviction  that  we  will  thereby  contribute  to  secure  to  all 
sections  of  the  Union,  and  each  of  the  States,  their  just  and  equal  rights, 
and  their  full  share  in  the  benefits  of  our  Federal  Union,  and  in  no  sec- 
tional spirit,  but  in  the  expansive  love  of  our  whole  country,  the  Democ- 
racy of  Indiana  present  to  the  Convention  of  the  American  Democracy  to 
assemble  at  Charleston,  as  their  choice  for  nomination  as  a  candidate  for 
the  Presidency  of  the  United  States,  the  name  of  Stephen  A.  Douglas,  of 
Illinois,  and  believing  him  to  be  the  preference  of  an  overwhelming  ma- 
jority of  our  people,  we  hereby  instruct  the  delegates  this  day  appointed  by 
us  to  that  Convention  to  cast  their  votes  in  his  favor  as  a  unit,  so  long  as 
his  name  is  before  the  Convention,  and  to  use  all  honorable  efforts  to 
secure  his  nomination;  and  the  delegation  is  also  instructed  to  vote  as  a 
unit  upon  all  questions  which  may  come  before  that  body,  as  a  majority 
of  the  delegates  may  determine. 


I860]  INDIANA,  1850—1900.  19 

Resolved,  That  we  protest  against  and  denounce  as  contrary  to  the 
plighted  faith  on  which  the  Constitution  of  our  country -was  established, 
all  acts,  or  inflammatory  appeals,  which  intend  or  tend,  to  make  this 
Union  less  perfect,  or  to  jeopard  or  disturb  its  domestic  tranquility,  or  to 
mar  the  spirit  of  harmony,  compromise  and  concession,  upon  which  the 
Union  was  formed  by  our  fathers. 

Resolved,  That  we  regard  the  recent  outrage  at  Harper's  Ferry  as  a 
crime,  not  only  against  the  State  of  Virginia,  but  against  the  Union  itself; 
and  we  hereby  reprobate  and  denounce  the  crime  and  the  treason. 

Resolved,  That  we  are  in  favor  of  home-stead  to  all  actual  settlers 
upon  the  public  lands  of  the  United  States. 

Resolved,  That  we  accept  the  decisions  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  the 
United  States,  as  the  best  evidence  of  the  true  meaning  of  the  Constitu- 
tion, and  will  respect  and  maintain  them  with  the  fidelity  we  owe  to  the 
Constitution  itself. 

Resolved,  That  adhering  to  and  being  determined  to  stand  by  the  well 
considered  declaration  of  principles  contained  in  the  Cincinnati  Platform, 
as  expounded  by  President  Buchanan  in  his  letter  of  acceptance,  we  affirm 
that  it  is  the  unquestionable  right  of  "the  people  of  a  Territory,  like  those 
of  a  State,  to  determine  for  themselves  whether  slavery  shall  or  shall  not 
exist  within  their  limits." 

Resolved,  That  it  is  a  slander  upon  the  Democratic  party,  .both  north 
and  south,  made  by  the  Opposition,  when  they  charge  them  with  being 
in  favor  of  a  re-opening  of  the  African  slave  trade. 

Resolved,  That  we  believe  in  that  provision  of  the  Constitution  and 
the  laws  thereunto  enacted  for  the  naturalization  of  foreigners,  and  that 
when  they  declare  their  intention  to  become  citizens  of  our  Government, 
we  believe  that  they  are  entitled  to  its  protection,  wherever  the  flag  of  our 
country  may  wave  over  the  land,  as  though  they  were  native  born  citizens. 

Resolved,  That  we  are  opposed  to  the  transfer  of  the  Wabash  and  Erie 
Canal  to  the  State,  or  any  change  in  the  relation  of  the  State  to  the  canal 
bondholders. 


2Q  POLITICAL  PLATFORMS.  [1860 


THE  REPUBLICAN  PLATFORM,  I860. 

(The  Indianapolis  Journal,   February  23.) 

Resolved.  1.  That  while  disunion  doctrines  are  proclaimed  in  the 
Halls  of  Congress  by  the  Democracy,  and  disunion  purposely  openly 
avowed,  we  point  with  pride  to  the  fact  that  not  a  single  rejublican, 
either  in  Congress  or  the  walks  of  private  life— not  a  single  republican 
press— not  a  single  republican  orator— not  a  single  republican  convention, 
has  avowed  any  design  against  the  integrity  of  the  Union,  even  should  the 
present  administration  with  its  corrupt  policy  be  perpetuated  by  the  vote 
of  the  people. 

2.  That  we  are  opposed  to  the  new  and  dangerous  doctrine  advocated 
by  the  democratic  party,  that  the  Federal  Constitution  carries  slavery  into 
the  public  Territories;  that  we  believe  slavery  cannot  exist  any  where  in 
this  government  unless  by  positive  local  law,  and  that  we  will  oppose  its 
extension  into  the  Territories  of  the  Federal  Government  by  all  the  power 
known  to  the  Constitution  of  the  United  States. 

3.  That  we  are  opposed  to  any  interference  with  slavery  where  it 
exists  under  the  sanction  of  State  law;  that  the  soil  of  every  State  should 
be  protected  from  lawless  invasion  from  every  quarter,  and,  that  the  citi- 
zens of  every  State  should  be  protected  from  illegal  arrests  and  searches, 
as  well  as  from  mob  violence. 

4.  That  the  territory  of  Kansas,  now  desiring  admission  under  a  Con- 
stitution Republican  in  form,  expressing  the  will  ana  wish  of  an  over- 
whelming majority  of  her  people,  ought  to  be  admitted  as  a  sovereign 
member  of  the  Union,  speedily  and  without  delay. 

5.  That  we  are  in  favor  of  the  immediate  passage  by  Congress  of  a 
Homestead  Law,  thereby  giving  out  of  our  public  domain  homes  to  the 
homeless. 

6.  That  the  fiscal  affairs  of  the  State  of  Indiana  have  been  badly 
managed.     That  State  officers  have  been  shown  to  be  defaulters  to  large 
amounts,  and  suffered  to  go  unprosecuted.    That  large  amounts  of  the 
public  moneys  have  been  squandered  to  enrich  officials  and  partisan  favor- 
ites, and  that  when  the  representatives  of  the  people  sought  to  stop  those 
peculations,  by  the  passage  of  an  "Embezzlement  Bill"  the  Governor  of 
the  State  vetoed  that  bill,  and  thus  kept  the  doors  of  the  treasury  opened 
to  be  further  robbed  by  dishonest  partisans. 

7.  That  »it  is  the  duty  of  every  branch  of  the  Federal  Government  to 
enforce  and  practice  the  most  rigid  economy  in  conducting  our  public 
affairs,  and  the  acts  of  certain  parties  in  high  places,  in  cheating  and  de- 
frauding the  government  out  of  large  and  valuable  tracts  of  the  public 
lands,  as  well  as  a  reckless  Avaste  and  extravagant  expenditure  of  the 
public   money,   by    which   the   National   Treasury  has   become  bankrupt, 
and  a  borrower  in  the  public  markets,  by  the  sale  of  bonds  and  treasury 
notes,  meets  our  earnest  condemnation. 

8.  That  we  consider  the  slave  trade  as  justly  held  to  be  piracy  by 
the  law  of  nations  and  our  own  laws,   and  that  it  is  the  duty  of  all 
civilized  nations,  and  of  our  public  authorities  to  put  a  stop  to  it  in  all 
parts  of  the  world. 


1862]  INDIANA,  1850—1900.  21 

9.  That  we  are  in  favor  of  equal  rights  to  all  citizens,  at  home  and 
abroad,  without  reference  to  the  place  of  their  nativity,  and  that  we  will 
oppose  any  attempt  to  change  the  present  Naturalization  Laws. 

10.  That  we  regard  the  preservation  of  the  American  Union  as  the 
highest  object  and  duty  of  patriotism,  and  that  it  must  and  shall  be  pre- 
served, and  that  all  who  advocate  disunion  are,  and  deserve  the  fate  of 
traitors. 

11.  That  we  take  this  occasion  to  express  our  thanks  to  our  Repub- 
lican members  in  Congress,  from  this  and  other  States,  for  their  persever- 
ance and  triumphant  success  in  the  organization  of  the  House  of  Repre- 
sentatives, in  the  election  of  high  minded  and  national  men,  over  the  efforts 
of  a  corrupt,  sectional  and  disunion  party. 

12.  That  a  railroad  to  the  Pacific  Ocean,  by  the  most  central  prac- 
ticable route,   is  imperatively  demanded  by  the  interests  of  the  whole 
country,  and  that  the  Federal  Government  ought  to  render  immediate  and 
efficient  aid  to  its  construction. 

13.  That  the  soldiers  of  the  war  of  1812,  who  yet  remain  among  us, 
deserve  the  grateful  remembrance  of  the  people,  and  that  Congress  should 
at  once  recognize  their  services  by  placing  their  names  upon  the  pension 
rolls  of  the  government. 

14.  That  we  are  opposed  to  the  retrocession  of  the  Wabash  and  Erie 
Canal,  as  well  as  to  the  State  becoming  liable  for  any  of  the  debts,  or 
bonds  for  which  the  same  was  transferred  to  satisfy. 


DEMOCRATIC  PLATFORM,  J862. 

(The  Indianapolis  Sentinel,  January  9.) 

Resolved.  1.  That  we  reaffirm  and  endorse  the  political  principles 
that  from  time  to  time  have  been  put  forth  by  the  National  Conventions 
of  the  Democratic  party. 

2.  That  we  are  unalterably  attached  to  the  Constitution,  by  which 
the  Union  of  these  States  was  formed  and  established;  and  that  a  faithful 
observance  of  its  principles  can  alone  continue  the  existence  of  the  Union, 
and  the  permanent  happiness  of  the  people. 

3.  That  the  present  civil  war  has  mainly  resulted  from  the  long  con- 
tinued, unwise  and  fanatical  agitation  in  the  North,  of  the  question  of 
domestic  slavery,  the  consequent  organization  of  a  geographical  party, 
guided  by  the  sectional  platforms  adopted  at  Buffalo,  Pittsburgh,  Phila- 
delphia, and  Chicago,  and  the  development  thereby  of  sectional  hate  and 
jealousy,  producing  (as  has  long  been  foreseen  and  predicted  by  us)  its 
counterpart  in  the  South  of  secession,  disunion,  and  armed  resistance  to 
the  General  Government,  and  terminating  in  a  bloody  strife  between  those 
who  should  have  been  forever  bound  together  by  fraternal  bonds,  thus 
bringing  upon  the  whole  country  a  calamity  which  we  are  now  to  meet  as 
loyal  citizens,  striving  for  the  adoption  of  that  mode  of  settlement  best 
calculated  to  again  restore  union  and  harmony. 

4.  That  in  rejecting  all  propositions  likely  to  result  in  a  satisfactory 
adjustment  of  the  matters  in  dispute  between  the  North  and  the  South, 


22  POLITICAL  PLATFORMS.  [1862 

and  especially  those  measures  which  would  have  secured  the  border  slave 
States  to  the  Union,  and  a  hearty  co-operation  on  their  part  in  all  consti- 
tutional and  legal  measures  to  procure  a  return  of  the  more  Southern  States 
to  their  allegiance,  the  Republican  party  assumed  a  fearful  responsibility, 
and  acted  in  total  disregard  of  the  best  interests  of  the  whole  country. 

5.  That  if  the  party  in  power  had  shown  the  same  desire  to  settle,  by 
amicable  adjustment,  our  internal  dissensions  before  hostilities  had  actu- 
ally commenced,  that  the  Administration  has  recently  exhibited  to  avoid 
a  war  with  our  ancient  enemy,  Great  Britain,  we  confidently  believe  that 
peace  and  harmony  would  now  reign  throughout  all  our  borders. 

6.  That  the  maintenance  of  the  Union  upon  the  principles  of  the  Fed- 
eral Constitution  should  be  the  controlling  object  of  all  who  profess  loy- 
alty to  the  Government,  and  in  our  judgment  this  purpose  can  only  be 
accomplished,  by  the  ascendancy  of  a  Union  party  in  the  Southern  States, 
which  shall,  by  a  counter  revolution,  displace  those  who  control  and  direct 
the  present  rebellion.    That  no  effort  to  create  or  sustain  such  a  party  can 
be  successful  which  is  not  based  upon  a  definite  settlement  of  the  question 
at  issue  bet\veen  the  two  sections;  and  we  therefore  demand  that  some 
such  settlement  be  made  by  additional  constitutional  guaranty,  either  in- 
itiated by  act  of  Congress  or  through  the  medium  of  a  National  Con- 
vention. 

7.  That  the  Republican  party  has  fully  demonstrated  its  inability  to 
conduct  the  Government  through  its  present  difficulties. 

8.  That  we  are  utterly  opposed  to  the  twin  heresies  Northern  section- 
alism and  Southern  secession,  as  inimical  to  the  Constitution;  and  that 
freemen,  as  they  value  the  boon  of  civil  liberty  and  the  peace  of  the  coun- 
try, should  frown  indignantly  upon  them. 

9.  That  in  this  national  emergency  the  Democracy  of  Indiana,  ban- 
ishing all  feeling  of  passion  and  resentment,  will  recollect  only  their  duty 
to  the  whole  country;  that  this  war  should  not  be  waged  in  the  spirit  of 
conquest  or  subjugation,  nor  for  the  purpose  of  overthrowing  or  interfer- 
ing with  the  rights  or  institutions  of  the  States,  but  to  defend  and  main- 
tain the  supremacy  of  the  Constitution,  and  to  preserve  the  Union  with 
all  the  dignity,  equality  and  rights  of  the  several  States  unimpaired;  and 
that  as  soon  as  these  objects  are  accomplished  the  war  ought  to  cease. 

10.  That  we  will  sustain,  with  all  our  energies,  a  war  for  the  mainte- 
nance of  the  Constitution,  and  of  the  integrity  of  the  Union  under  the  Con- 
stitution; but  we  are  opposed  to  a  war  for  the  emancipation  of  the  negroes, 
or  the  subjugation  of  the  Southern  States. 

11.  That  the  purposes  avowed  and  advocated  by  the  Northern  dis- 
unionists,  to  liberate  and  arm  the  negro  slaves,  is  unconstitutional,  insult- 
ing to  loyal  citizens,  a  disgrace  to  the  age,  is  calciilated  to  retard  the  sup- 
pression of  the  rebellion  and  meets  our  unqualified  condemnation. 

12.  That  the  total  disregard  of  the  writ  of  habeas  corpus  by  the  au- 
thorities over  us,  and  the  seizure  and  imprisonment  of  the  citizens  of  loyal 
States  where  the  judiciary  is  in  full  operation,  without  warrant  of  law  and 
without  assigning  any  cause  or  giving  to  the  party  arrested  any  oppor- 
tunity of  defense,  are  flagrant  violations  of  the  Constitution  and  most 
alarming  acts  of  usurpation  of  power,   which  should  receive  the  stern 
rebuke  of  every  lover  of  his  country  and  of  every  man  who  prizes  the  se- 
curity and  blessings  of  life,  liberty  and  property. . 


1862]  INDIANA,  1850—1900.  23 

13.  That  liberty  of  speech  and  of  the  press  are  guaranteed  to  the  peo- 
ple by  the  Constitution,  and  none  but  a  usurper  would  deprive  them  of 
these  rights;  they  are  inestimable  to  the  citizen  and  formidable  to  tyrants 
only.     And  the  attempts  which  have  been  made  since  our  present  unfor- 
tunate troubles,  to  muzzle  the  press  and  stifle  free  discussion,  are  exer- 
cises of  despotic  power  against  which  freedom  revolts  and  which  can  not 
be  tolerated  without  converting  freemen  into  slaves. 

14.  That  the  seizure  of  Slidell  and  Mason,  on  board  a  neutral  vessel, 
on  the  high  seas,  was  either  in  accordance  with  international  law,  and  so 
legal,  or  else  in  violation  of  such  law,  and  so  illegal.     If  the  former,  we 
lament  that  our  nation  has  been  humiliated  by  their  surrender,  under  a 
threat;  if  the  latter,  it  was  the  duty  of  the  Administration  at  once  to  have 
disavowed  the  act  of  their  officer,  and  instead  of  incarcerating  the  captives 
in  Fort  Warren,  to  have  immediately  repaired  the  wrong  by  placing  them, 
as  far  as  practicable,  in  the  same  condition  in  which  that  officer  had  found 
them.    In  either  event,  the  action  of  the  Administration  was  vacillating 
and  cowardly,  and  degrading  to  the  dignity  of  a  great  nation. 

15.  That  the  action  of  the  Republican  party,  as  manifested  in  the 
partisan   character   of   all   appointments   of   the  Administration  to   civil 
office;  and,  in  holding  party  caucuses  by  the  Republican  members  of  Con- 
gress for  the  purpose  of  impressing  upon  the  legislative  action  of  that 
body  the  peculiar  dogmas  of  that  party,  have  demonstrated  that  their 
professions  of  "sacrificing  party  platforms,  and  party  organizations,  upon 
the  altar  of  their  country,"  are  but  so  many  hypocritical  and  false  pre- 
tences by  which  they  hope  to  dupe  the  unwary  into  their  support;  and  we 
warn  all  loyal  persons,  as  they  love  their  country,  not  to  be  deceived 
thereby. 

16.  That  the  disclosures  made  by  the  investigating  committee  in  Con- 
gress of  the  enormous  frauds  that  have  stalked  into  the  army  and  navy 
departments,  implicating  the  heads  of  those  departments  in  a  connivance 
at,  if  not  an  actual  participation  in  a  system  of  corruption,  and  in  which 
our  brave  soldiers  have  been  defrauded  of  their  proper  supplies,  and  our 
Government  threatened  with  bankruptcy,  demands  a  thorough  investiga- 
tion into  all  our  expenditures,  both  State  and  National,  and  that  a  speedy 

and  marked  example  be  made  of  all  such  "birds  of  prey,"  who,  taking  ad- 
vantage of  the  necessities  of  our  country,  have  fed  and  fattened  upon 
public  plunder. 

17.  That  the  meritorious  conduct  of  the  Indiana  troops,  in  every  battle 
field  where  the  victory  has  perched  upon  the  national  banner,  has  filled 
the  people  of  this  State  with  the  highest  gratitude  to  her  gallant  sons,  and 
that  we  send  our  best  wishes  to  officers  and  men,  dispersed  throughout 
the   country,    and   the   heartfelt  greetings   of   every   Democrat  for  their 
further  brilliant  achievements  in  the  coming  contests  for  the  maintenance 
of  the  Constitution  and  the  Union. 


POLITICAL  PLATFORMS.  [1802 


UNION  (REPUBLICAN)  PLATFORM,  J862. 

(The  Indianapolis  Journal,  June  19.) 

Whereas,  the  National  Government  is  engaged  in  a  war  waged  against 
it  by  its  enemies  for  the  avowed  purpose  of  its  destruction  and  the  subver- 
sion of  our  Republican  form  of  .Government,  therefore 

Resolved,  That  the  present  civil  war  was  forced  upon  the  country  by 
the  dis-unionists  in  the  Southern  States,  who  are  now  in  rebellion  against 
the  constitutional  government;  that  in  the  present  national  emergency,  we, 
the  people  of  Indiana,  in  convention  assembled,  forgetting  all  former  polit- 
ical differences,  and  recollecting  only  our  duty  to  the  whole  country,  do 
pledge  ourselves  to  aid  with  men  and  money  the  vigorous  prosecution  of 
the  present  war  which  is  not  being  waged  upon  the  part  of  our  Govern- 
ment for  the  purpose  of  conquest,  subjugation  or  overthrowing  or  inter- 
fering with  the  rights  of  established  institutions  of  any  of  the  States, 
but  to  suppress  and  put  down  a  wicked  and  causeless  rebellion,  defend  and 
maintain  the  supremacy  of  the  Constitution,  and  to  preserve  the  Union 
SUB  established  by  our  patriot  fathers,  with  all  the  dignity,  equality  and 
rights  of  the  several  States  unimpaired,  and  when  these  objects  are  fully 
accomplished,  and  not  before,  we  believe  the  war  ought  to  cease;  and  that 
we  invite  all  who  coincide  in  these  sentiments  to  unite  with  us  in  support 
of  the  ticket  this  day  nominated. 

Resolved,  That  we  demand  and  expect  of  our  Executive  and  Legisla- 
tive bodies,  both  State  and  National,  an  economical  administration  of 
governmental  affairs,  and  the  punishment  of  fraud  against  the  govern- 
ment, as  well  as  a  fearless  discharge  of  their  duties. 

Resolved  That  as  long  as  patriotism,  courage,  and  the  love  of  consti- 
tutional liberty  shall  be  honored  and  revered  among  the  people  of  the 
United  States,  the  heroic  conduct  of  the  soldiers  of  the  Union,  who  have 
offered  their  lives  for  the  salvation  of  their  country,  will  be  remembered 
with  the  most  profound  feelings  of  veneration  and  gratitude,  and  that  we 
now  tender  to  them  the  warmest  thanks  and  lasting  gratitude  of  every 
member  of  this  Convention. 

Resolved,  That  we  tender  to  the  60,000  volunteers  from  Indiana  our 
heartfelt  congratulations,  and  hail  with  pride  the  fact  that  upon  every 
battle  field  where  Indianians  have  been  found,  they  have  displayed  the 
bravery  of  patriots  in  defence  of  a  glorious  cause,  and  we  pledge  them 
that  while  they  are  subduing  armed  traitors  in  the  field,  we  will  condemn 
at  the  ballot  box  all  those  in  our  midst  who  are  not  unconditionally  for 
the  Union. 


18G4J  INDIANA,  1850—1900.  25 


DEMOCRATIC  RESOLUTIONS,  J864. 

(The  Indianapolis  Sentinel,  July  13.) 

Resolved,  1.  That  we  utterly  condemn  as  revolutionary  and  subversive 
of  the  Constitution  of  our  State,  the  action  of  Governor  O.  P.  Morton  in 
counseling  the  factions  and  lawless  conduct  of  the  Republican  members 
of  the  last  General  Assembly,' and  we  wholly  condemn  their  conduct  in 
seceding  from  the  House  of  Representatives,  in  violation  of  their  official 
oaths  and  solemn  duty,  as  representatives  of  the  people,  thereby  defeating 
all  necessary  legislation,  either  in  the  making  of  appropriations  to  carry 
on  the  government  of  the  State,  or  for  the  support  and  assistance  of  our 
sick  and  wounded  soldiers,  and  we  denounce  as  worthy  of  especial  con- 
demnation the  conduct  of  Governor  Morton  in  usurping,  for  personal  and 
partisan  purposes,  the  power  and  functions  of  the  coordinate  departments 
of  the  government. 

2.  That  we  disapprove  of,  and  condemn  the  action  of  Governor  Morton 
in  establishing  a  "financial  bureau,"  an  institution  unknown  to  the  Con- 
stitution, the  laws,  and  the  usages  of  the  State  of  Indiana;  in  securing,  dis- 
bursing and  squandering  the  funds  of  the  State;  in  borrowing  money  on 
the  faith  of  the  State  and  pledging  the  property  and  the  energies  of  the 
people  to  pay  such  loans,  and  interest  thereon,  and  in  paying  out  such 
money  in  open  and  flagrant  disregard  of  the  Constitution  and  laws  of  the 
State,  without  any  appropriation  directing  the  payment  thereof,  and  with- 
out any  of  the  checks  and  safeguards  that  the  wisdom  and  experience  of 
the  past  have  demonstrated  were  necessary  for  the  safety,  preservation 
and  economical  expenditure  of  the  money  of  the  people  of  the  State. 

3.  That  the  suppression  of  the  right  of  the  writ  of  habeas  corpus  in 
States  or  places  not  in  actual  rebellion,  and  the  suppression  of  the  freedom 
of  speech  and  of  the  press  by  the  Administration,  are  alike  crimes  against 
civilization  and  the  highest  hopes  and  interests  of  mankind. 

4.  That  the  profligate  and  reckless  expenditure  of  the  public  treasure 
by  the  administration,  and  its  criminal  inefficiency  in  the  management  of 
the  general  business  and  finances  of  the  country,  always  either  leading 
to  or  directly  tolerating  public  immorality,  or  the  shamelessly  dishonest 
waste  of  the  people's  money,  have  brought  the  nation  to  the  verge  of 
bankruptcy  and  general  ruin. 

5.  That  the  suppression  of  newspapers;  the  arrest  of  citizens  without 
warrant,  and  their  confinement  in  prisons  without  examination  or  trial; 
the  denial  of  the  right  of  asylum,  and  forcible  seizure  of  subjects  of  for- 
eign powers  and  their  delivery  to  agents  of  such  Governments,  without 
law  or  treaty,  are  criminal  violations  of  civil  liberty  and  the  rights  and 
privileges  secured  to  the  citizen  and  alien  under  the  American  Consti- 
tution. 

6.  That  the  failure  of  the  Administration  to  promptly  pay  disabled  or 
discharged    soldiers,    and   pensions   to   the   widows   and   children   whose 
husbands  and  fathers  have  fallen  in  battle  or  died  in  camp  or  by  the  way- 
side, and  the  readiness  with  wrhich  the  powers  at  Washington  audit  and 
pay  shoddy  contractors,  officers  and  placemen  of  the  government,  are  cruel 
wrongs  to  the  destitute  and  deserving,  and  merit  the  withering  scorn  of 
the  American  people. 


2Q  POLITICAL  PLATFORMS.  [1864 

7.  That  the  noble  and  patriotic  sons  of  Indiana,   who,   for  love  of 
country  and  a  restoration  of  the  Union  as  established  by  our  fathers,  have 
sacrificed  the  endearments  of  home  for  the  hardships  and  perils  of  war, 
merit  the  thanks  of  the  people  of  Indiana;  that  we  will  ever  hold  in  grate- 
ful recollection  the  memory  of  those  who  have  fallen  in  battle,  and  that 
it  is  the  duty,  and  should  be  the  highest  pleasure  of  the  people  to  make 
ample  provision  for  the  support  of  those  who  have  received  disabilities  in 
the  service  of  the  country,  and  the  thousands  of  widows  and  tens  of  thou- 
sands of  orphan  children,  whose  husbands  and  fathers  have  sacrificed 
their  lives  in  defense  of  their  country  and  honor  of  the  American  flag. 

8.  That  a  faithful  adherence  to  the  Constitution  of  the  United  States, 
to  which  the  Democracy  are  pledged,  necessarily  implies  the  restoration 
of  liberty,  and  the  rights  of  the  States  under  that  Constitution  unimpaired, 
and  wrill  lead  to  an  early  and  honorable  peace. 

9.  That  we  cordially  sympathize  with  the  Democracy  of  Kentucky  in 
their  present  subjugated  condition,  deprived  of  the  rights  of  free  men, 
and  we  will  stand  by  them  in  a  manly  and  lawful  struggle  to  recover  con- 
stitutional liberty. 

10.  That  we  pledge  ourselves  to  cordially  support  the  nominations 
made  by  this  Convention. 

Resolved,  That  wre,  the  Democracy  of  Indiana  in  State  convention  as- 
sembled, are  in  favor  of  maintaining  personal  and  constitutional  liberty, 
and  we  pledge  ourselves  to  sustain  our  rights  as  citizens  to  the  bitter  end. 


UNION  (REPUBLICAN)  PLATFORM,  J864. 

(The  Indianapolis  Journal,  February  24.) 

1.  Resolved,  That  the  cause  of  the  Union  demands  of  every  patriotic 
citizen  the  sacrifice  of  every  partisan  feeling,  of  all  selfish  purposes,  of 
all  private  ambition,  and  that  no  action  of  the  Government,  whether  in 
accordance  with  our  views  of  correct  policy  or  not,  can  absolve  any  man 
from  the  duty  to  render  every  possible  aid  to  crush  the  rebellion,  by 
furnishing  the  Government  men  and  means,  counsel  and  encouragement. 

2.  That  we  hail  with  joy  the  indications  of  approaching  peace,  not 
by  a  compromise  with  rebels  in  arms,  but  by  their  complete  and  utter 
subjugation  to  the  laws  and  constitution  of  the  United  States;  and  that 
we  are  in  favor  of  the  destruction  of  every  thing  which  stands  in  the  way 
of  a  permanent  and  perpetual  peace  against  the  people  of  all  the  States, 
and  a  full  and  complete  restoration  of  the  just  authority  of  the  Union 
under  the  Constitution  of  the  United  States. 

3.  That  those  who  persist  in  their  opposition  to  the  Government  in 
its  hour  of  peril,  who  denounce  its  every  act  for  the  preservation  of  the 
Union,  who  refuse  to  contribute  men  or  money  for  its  support,  or  who 
organize  secret  combinations  to  embarrass  the  Government  by  resisting 
the   laws   and   encouraging   desertions,    are   hereby   rendering  the   rebel 
cause  more  effective  support  than  if  they  joined  the  rebel  armies,  and  are 
entitled  to  and  will  receive  the  execration  of  all  patriotic  citizens  to  the 
latest  posterity. 

4.  Resolved,  That  now,  henceforth  and  to  the  end  of  time,  the  thanks 
of  a  grateful  people  are  due  to  the  rank  and  file  of  the  army  and  navy, 


18GG]  INDIANA,  1850-1000.  27 

to  the  officers  and  men,  who  on  so  many  battle  fields  have  perilled  their 
lives  in  defence  of  their  homes  and  of  constitutional  liberty,  and  by  their 
patient  endurance  of  trials  and  privations,  by  their  dauntless  courage  and 
their  devotion  to  the  Union  have  covered  themselves  with  imperishable 
renown. 

5.  Resolved,  That  in  the  midst  of  a  civil  war  for  the  preservation  of 
the  life  of  the  Government,  and  having  confidence  in  the  patriotism,  the 
wisdom,  the  justice  and  the  honesty  of  Abraham  Lincoln,  we  regard  his 
re-election  to  the  position  he  now  occupies  as  essential  to  the  speedy  and 
triumphant  end  of  the  war,  and  therefore,  hereby  instruct  the  delegates 
to  be  appointed  by  this  Convention  to  represent  this  State  in  the  National 
Union  Convention,  to  cast  their  votes  for  his  nomination. 

G.  Resolved,  That  the  gratitude  of  the  American  people  is  due  to  An- 
drew Johnson,  of  Tennessee,  for  his  unselfish  devotion  to  the  cause  of  the 
Union,  and  his  patriotic  and  successful  efforts  for  the  overthrow  of  the 
rebellion,  and  that  we  present  his  name  as  the  choice  of  our  people  for  the 
Vice-Presidency  of  the  United  States. 

7.  Resolved,  That  duty,  patriotism,  and  the  interests  of  Indiana,  de- 
mand the  election  of  Oliver  P.  Morton  as  her  next  Governor  and  we 
hereby  declare  him  to  be  the  Union  candidate  for  that  position. 


DEMOCRATIC  PLATFORM,  J866* 

(The  Indianapolis  Journal,  March  16.) 

1.  Resolved,  That  among  the  powers  reserved  to  the  States,  that  of 
withdrawal  at  will  from  the  Union  cannot  "be  found,  and  consequently, 
such  doctrine  can  be  asserted  only  as  a  revolutionary  measure,  and  not 
peaceably  as  a  right;  and  the  late  action  of  the  Southern  people,  in  resort- 
ing to  such  means  as  a  mode  of  redress  of  grievances,  was  illegal,  and  had 
no  sustaining  principle  but  that  of  physical  force,  and  that,  having  proved 
insufficient,  those  principles  became  remitted  to  their  constitutional  obli- 
gations or  rights,  of  which  obedience  and  protection  are  chief. 

2.  Resolved,  That  the  principles  avowed  by  President  Johnson  in  his 
annual  message,  looking  to  the  early  practical  restoration  of  all  the  States 
to  their  rights  in  the  Union,  meets  with  our  hearty  approval;  and  the 
action  of  the  majority  in  Congress,  dictated  as  it  may  be  by  revenge,  fa- 
natacism,  or  thirst  for  political  power,  and  being  exerted  to  thrust  such 
States  out  of  the  Union,  we  solemnly  condemn;  therefore,  we  cordially  en- 
dorse the  vote  of  the  Freedmen's  Bureau  bill,  and  declare  that  in  our 
judgment  the  courage  displayed,  the  doctrines  avowed,  and  the  high  sense 
of  rights  manifested  in  that  message,  and  subsequent  speeches,  promise 
well  for  the  future  administration  of  the  President,  and  we  hereby  pledge 
him  the  earnest  and  disinterested  support  of  the  Indiana  Democracy  in  all 
his  conflicts  with  that  fanatical  congressional  majority  in  his  laudible 
efforts  to  prevent  them  from  changing  or  destroying  our  cherished  form 
of  government. 

3.  Resolved,  That,  in  our  opinion,  the  sole  power  of  the  Senate  and 
House  of  Representatives  over  the  admission  of  members  to  their  re- 


28  POLITICAL  PLATFORMS.  [1866 

spective  chambers,  is  confined  to  the  "election,  return  and  qualification 
of  its  members  respectively;"  that  this  convention  further  declares  its 
conviction  that  Congress,  in  rejecting  from  representation  eleven  States 
acknowledged  to  be  in  the  Union,  by  having  their  votes  counted  in  favor 
of  the  Constitutional  amendment  abolishing  slavery,  the  Senate  and  House 
have  usurped  powers  not  delegated  to  them  by  the  Constitution,  and  are 
acting  in  violation  thereof.  We  further  believe  that  all  members  from 
the  Southern  States  who  have  been  lately  elected,  and  possess  the  con- 
stitutional qualifications,  should  be  immediately  admitted  and  upon  the 
refusal  of  Congress  to  admit  the  members  of  such  States  to  their  seats, 
it  is  the  prerogative  and  duty  of  the  President  of  the  United  States  to 
defend  and  uphold  the  integrity  of  every  State  now  in  the  Union,  and 
"to  take  care  that  the  laws  be  faithfully  executed." 

4.  Resolved,  That  we  are  inflexibly  opposed  to  a  prohibitory  or  pro- 
tective tariff,   for  the  reason  that  it  largely  increases  the  price  of  all 
articles  of  consumption,  and  decreases  the  revenues  of  the  Government, 
that  it  operates  greatly  to  add  to  the  honerous  burdens  of  industry,  while 
it  yearly  adds  fabulous  wealth  to  the  manufacturing  interests  of  New 
England,  and  that  it  is  oppressive  to  the  great  agricultural  interests  of  the 
north  west,  in  making  such  interest  subservient  to  that  of  the  manufac- 
turing, by  greatly  decreasing  the  profits  of  the  former,  and  largely  in- 
creasing that  of  the  latter. 

5.  Resolved,  That  we  declare  it  to  be  a  just  principle  that  taxation 
and  representation   should  go  together— that  property  of  every  descrip- 
tion, whether  houses,  lands  or  merchandise,  or  government  bonds,  should 
bear  its  fair  share  of  taxation,  and  that  there  should  be  no  "favored 
classes"  on  the  duplicate.     The  man  who  has  money  to  buy  bonds,  and 
live  on  the  interest,  is  exempt,  and  contributes  not  a  dollar  to  support 
State,  county  or  city.    As  Democrats,  we  are  compelled  to  say  that  these 
laws  are  unjust,  oppressive,  and  should  be  changed.     We  believe  that 
the  men  who  voted  for  them  should  not  be  trusted,  and  that  the  party 
which  sustains  them  should  not  have  charge  of  this  government.    We  ask 
that  all  men  pay  in  proportion  to  their  wealth,  their  means  and  their 
ability. 

6.  Resolved,  That  the  repudiation  of  the  rebel  debt  by  the  Southern 
States  themselves,  by  solemn  enactment,  has  relieved  the  people  of  the 
nation  from  all  apprehension  that  they  will  ever  be  called  upon  to  pay 
any  portion  of  the  same;  but  if  this  is  not  deemed  suflicient,  the  De- 
mocracy hereby  declare  that  no  portion  of  that  unjust  debt  shall  ever  be 
paid  with  our  consent. 

-7.  Resolved,  That  the  soldiers  who  left  the  comforts  of  a  home  to  sus- 
tain the  flag  of  our  country,  are  entitled  to,  and  should  receive,  the  heart- 
felt thanks  of  a  grateful  people.  And  those  who  early  rushed  to  the 
standard  should,  by  the  action  of  Congress,  be  equally  remunerated,  by  an 
equalization  of  bounties,  or  otherwise,  with  their  brethren  who,  at  a  later 
day,  were  called  upon  to  fill  that  highest  duty  of  a  citizen. 

8.  Resolved,  That  we  will  cheerfully  and  heartily  sustain  the  man 
who,  in  an  official  capacity,  either  State  or  National,  shall  be  guided  by 
the  principles  we  this  day  avow;  and  in  so  doing,  we  will  not  let  party 
affiliations  prejudice  our  actions. 


1866]  INDIANA,  1850—1900.  29 

9.  Resolved,  That  the  vote  of  the  House  of  Representatives  conferring 
the  right  of  suffrage  on  negroes,  against  the  almost  unanimous  vote  of 
the  people  of  the  District  of  Columbia,  shows  a  recklessness  which  none 
but  fanatics  would  defend,  and  none  but  tyrants  practice;  and  we  hereby 
denounce  that  vote  as  a  precursor  of  universal  negro  suffrage,  and  to 
other  outrages  upon  the  rights  and  liberties  of  the  people  of  the  various 
States. 

10.  Resolved,  That  we  are  opposed  to  the  repeal  of  the  13th  article 
of  the  Constitution  of  Indiana  prohibiting  negroes  and  mulattoes  from 
settling  in  this  State,  and  now,  more  than  ever,  deprecate  the  entrance  of 
that  class  of  persons  within  its  borders;  and  we  most  emphatically  con- 
demn and  disapprove  the  action  of  the  Republican  majority  in  the  late 
General  Assembly  of  Indiana  in  passing  through  the  House  a  joint  resolu- 
tion providing  for  the  abrogation  of  that  article  in  the  Constitution. 

11.  Resolved,  That  we  are  in  favor  of  the  Legislature,  by  friendly 
enactments,  encouraging  immigration  to  this  State. 

12.  Resolved,  That  eight  hours  in  twenty-four  is  as  long  as  a  laboring 
man  can  work  and  have  left  10  him  sufficient  time  for  rest  and  improve- 
ment; and  we  therefore  insist  that  it  shall  be  declared  by  statute  that 
eight  hours  shall  constitute  a  legal  day's  work. 

13.  Resolved,   That  we 'are  in   favor  of  religious  toleration,   as  the 
founders  of  our  Democratic  institutions  achieved  and  understood  it,  and 
which  they  secured  to  all  our  people  by  constitutional  guarantees;  and  we 
declare  that  this  great  principle,  and  the  personal  rights  of  every  citizen, 
ought  to  be  maintained  free  from  invasion,  either  by  means  of  Legislative 
interference,   or  the  equally  tyrannical  proscription   of  political  parties, 
founded  on  bigotry  and  intolerance. 

14.  Resolved,  That  the  immense  frauds,  in  financial,  cotton  and  other 
matters,  practiced  by  the  State  and  Federal  governments,  under  abolition 
rule,  is  deserving  the  stern  condemnation  of  this  convention. 

15.  Resolved,  That  all  prohibitory  liquor  laws,  or  laws  affecting  the 
private  rights  of  citizens  to  use  their  own  time  in  innocent  pursuits,  or 
to  force  men  to  abstain  by  law,  under  pains  and  penalty,  are  injurious  to 
the  cause  of  personal  temperance  and  morality,  and  should  be  discounte- 
nanced.    The  agencies  of  moral  suasion  are  more  in  consonance  with  the 
character   of   our   people   and   their   institutions.      The   luxury   of   doing 
right   without   constraint   is,   to   all   men,   an   ennobling  sentiment.     We 
further  believe  that  the  people  of  Indiana  have  had  enough  of  "Maine 
lawism"  under  the  fanatical  rule  of  men  opposed  to  the  Democratic  party 
in  days  gone  by,  and,  with  our  consent,  that  kind  of  legislation  shall 
never  be  re-enacted  in  this  State.     We  are  equally  hostile  to  the  pet  law 
of  Republican  fanatics,  defeated  by  Democratic  votes  at  the  late  extra 
session  of  the  General  Assembly,  and  all  kindred  legislation.     We  shall 
oppose  all  .radical  temperance  and  other  schemes  having  for  their  object 
the  annoyance  of  any  class  of  our  people. 

10.  Resolved,  That  Senator  Hendricks,  and  Representatives  Niblack, 
Kerr  and  Voorhees,  by  their  untiring  devotion  to  constitutional  liberty, 
have  shown  themselves  true  patriots;  and  the  expulsion  of  Mr.  Voorhees 
from  the  House  we  denounce  a  high-handed  outrage  of  a  profligate,  un- 
scrupulous party. 


POLITICAL  PLATFORMS.  [I860 


UNION  (REPUBLICAN)  PLATFORM,  J866. 

(The  Indianapolis  Journal,  February  23.) 

Resolved,  That  we  have  full  faith  in  President  Johnson  and  his  Cabi- 
net, and  in  the  Union  members  of  both  Houses  of  Congress,  and  in  the 
sincere  desire  and  determination  of  all  of  them  to  conduct  the  affairs  of 
the  Government  in  such  manner  as  to  secure  the  best  interests  of  the 
whole  people;  and  we  hereby  declare  that  we  will  sustain  them  in  all 
constitutional  efforts  to  restore  peace,  order  and  permanent  union. 

Resolved,  That  in  Andrew  Johnson,  President  of  the  United  States,  we 
recognize  a  patriot  true,  and  a  statesman  tried,  that  we  will  support  him 
in  all  his  Constitutional  efforts  to  restore  national  authority,  law  and  order 
among  the  people  of  the  States  lately  in  rebellion,  on  the  basis  of  equal 
and  exact  justice  to  all  men;  and  that  we  pledge  to  the  Administration, 
Executive  and  Legislative,  our  united  and  hearty  co-operation  in  all  wise 
and  prudent  measures  devised  for  the  security  of  the  Government  against 
rebellion  and  insurrection  in  times  to  come. 

Resolved,  That  whilst  we  endorse  the  President  of  the  United  States  in 
his  Constitutional  efforts  for  the  safety  of  the  Union,  and  the  restoration 
of  law  and  order,  we  do  hereby  express  our  entire  confidence  in  the  Union 
majority  in  Congress,  and  pledge  to  it  our  cordial  support. 

Resolved,  That  it  is  the  province  of  the  legislative  branch  of  the  Gen- 
eral Government  to  determine  the  question  of  reconstruction  of  the  States 
lately  in  rebellion  against  that  Government;  and  that,  in  the  exercise  of 
that  power,  Congress  should  have  in  view  the  loyalty  of  the  people  in 
those  States,  their  devotion  to  the  Constitution,  and  obedience  to  the  laws; 
and  until  the  people  of  those  States,  by  their  acts,  prove  themselves  loyal 
to  the  Government,  they  should  not  be  restored  to  the  rights  and  position 
enjoyed  and  occupied  by  them  before  their  rebellion. 

Resolved,  That  the  Constitution  of  the  United  States  should  be  so 
amended  that  no  representation  in  Congress,  or  the  Electoral  College, 
shall  be  allowed  to  any  State,  for  any  portion  of  her  population  that  Is 
excluded  from  the  right  of  suffrage  on  account  of  race  or  color. 

Resolved,  That,  under  the  Constitution  of  the  United  States,  the  power 
to  determine  the  qualifications  requisite  for  electors  in  each  State  rests 
with  the  States  respectively. 

Resolved,  That  in  the  election  of  Abraham  Lincoln  and  Andrew  John- 
son to  the  highest  offices  in  the  gifts  of  a  great  people,  and  in  the  libera- 
tion of  four  millions  of  oppressed  people  as  an  incident  of  the  war  for  the 
Union,  the  nation  has  approached  the  perfection  of  free  government, 
which  makes  merit,  and  not  birth  or  property,  the  basis  of  public  con- 
fidence, and  secures  universal  intelligence  and  freedom,  and  the  honor  and 
dignity  of  human  labor. 

Resolved,  That  the  Union  of  these  States  has  not  been,  and  cannot  be 
dissolved  except  by  a  successful  revolution;  but  that  after  the  suppression 
of  a  formidable  rebellion  against  the  General  Government,  we  declare  that 
the  Government  may,  and  should  hold  in  abeyance  the  powers  of  the 
rebellious  States,  until  the  public  safety  will  allow  of  their  restoration. 


1866]  INDIANA,  1850—1900.  3^ 

• 

Resolved,  That  it  is  the  duty  of  the  Government  of  the  United  States 
to  see  that  emancipation  shall  be  thorough  and  complete;  that  no  State 
legislation  shall  be  tolerated  which  will  tend  to  keep  the  blacks  a  subject 
and  servile  race,  and  that  full  protection  to  life,  liberty  and  property, 
shall  be  guaranteed  to  them  by  National  legislation. 

Resolved,  That  no  man  who  voluntarily  participated  in  the  rebellion 
ought  to  be  admitted  to  a  seat  in  Congress,  and  that  the  law  excluding 
them  therefrom  ought  not  to  be  repealed. 

Resolved,  That  the  constitutional  provision,  "that  tne  citizens  of  each 
State  shall  be  entitled  to  all  privileges  and  immunities  of  citizens  in  the 
several  States."  shall  be  enforced  by  proper  congressional  legislation. 

Resolved,  That  the  assumption  of  the  rebel  debt  and  the  direct  or  in- 
direct repudiation  of  that  of  the  General  Government,  are  alike  measures 
which  can  receive  favor  only  from  the  enemies  of  the  country;  that  we  de- 
nounce both  as  but  part  of  that  treason  which  in  the  South  was  lately 
in  armed  conflict  with  the  National  authority,  aided  in  the  North  by  the 
whole  influence  of  a  corrupt  political  organization  which  now  has  the 
effrontery  to  seek  power  over  a  country  it  sought  to  destroy. 

Resolved,  That  the  country  owes  a  debt  of  gratitude  to  the  soldiers 
and  sailors  lately  composing  the  armies  and  navies  of  the  Union,  which 
no  language  can  express,  and  that  we  shall  co-operate  with  them,  at  the 
ballot-box,  in  excluding  from  places  of  public  trust  in  Indiana,  those  who 
during  the  rebellion,  plotting  treason,  sought  to  bring  disaster  to  the 
Flag,  and  disgrace  upon  the  brave  men  who  upheld  it  with  their  lives 
upon  the  battle  field. 

Resolved,  That  justice  and  duty  demand  the  bounties  of  our  National 
defenders  should  be  so  equalized  in  land  grants  or  money,  as  to  render 
the  amount  received  by  those  who  entered  the  service  in  the  first 
years  of  the  war.  equal  to  the  highest  sums  paid  by  the  Governm?nt  to 
those  who  subsequently  volunteered. 

Resolved,  That  a  rigid  economy  in  public  expenditures  is  absolutely 
essential  to  the  maintenance  of  the  national  credit,  and  that  measures  of 
taxation  should  be  so  framed  that  the  plighted  public  faith  shall  suffer 
no  dishonor,  and  the  public  burdens  be  equally  borne  by  all  classes  of 
the  community  in  proportion  to  their  wealth. 

Resolved,  That,  sympathizing  with  every  effort  to  elevate  the  great 
mass  of  the  people  to  a  condition  of  the  highest  intelligence,  we  approve 
the  movement  in  favor  of  the  laboring  population  to  reduce  the  time  of  toil 
to  eight  hours  per  day,  and  to  give  practical  effect  to  this  declaration  we 
respectfully  request  the  next  General  Assembly  of  this  State  to  pass 
a  law  making  eight  hours  the  rule  for  a  day's  labor  in  all  cases,  except 
where  the  parties  interested  shall  expressly  make  a  different  agreement. 

Resolved,  That  we  are  decidedly  in  favor  of  bringing  the  late  rebel 
leader,  Jeff  Davis,  to  trial  for  treason  against  the  Government,  as  soon  as 
a  fair  and  impartial  trial  can  be  had  before  a  competent  tribunal,  and  if 
convicted,  to  the  end  "that  treason  may  be  made  odious,"  that  he  be 
punished  as  prescribed  by  law. 

Resolved,  That  we  most  heartily  indorse  the  administration  of  Oliver 
P.  Morton,  as  Governor  of  Indiana,  and  tender  him  our  gratitude  for  his 
humane  and  patriotic  treatment  of  her  soldiers;  and  that  we  deeply  sympa- 
thize with  him  in  his  recent  afflictions. 

/^      o 

((    UNIVERSITY   \ 


32  POLITICAL  PLATFORMS.  [18(38 

• 

Resolved,  That  we  have  implicit  confidence  in  the  intelligence  and 
patriotism  of  Acting  Governor  Baker,  and  we  rejoice  tnat  in  the  absence 
of  Gov.  Morton,  the  Executive  Department  of  the  State  Government  is 
so  ably  and  impartially  administered,  and  we  hereby  tender  him  our  full 
confidence. 


DEMOCRATIC  PLATFORM,  1868* 

(The  Indianapolis  Journal,  January  9.) 

1.  Resolved,  That  language  is  not  adequate  to  express  our  abhorrence 
and  condemnation  of  the  Radical  reconstruction  policy   of   Congress— a 
policy  condemned  by   every  consideration  of  justice  and   constitutional 
obligation;  a  policy  fraught  with  the  most  alarming  apprehensions  of  evil 
to  ten  States  of  the  Union,  and  of  destruction  to  the  Union  itself;  a  policy 
that  largely  increases  taxation;  a  policy  that  requires  a  large  standing 
army,   which  adds  nearly  one  hundred  million  dollars   annually  to  the 
expenses  of  the  Government,  while  it  beggars  the  people;  a  policy  the 
avowed  object  of  which  is  to  continue  in  power  the  most  venal  and  cor- 
rupt political  party  that  ever  dishonored  any  civilization;  a  policy  vindic- 
tively enacted  and  mercilessly  prosecuted  with  the  unconstitutional  pur- 
pose of  centralizing  and  perpetuating  all  political  powers  of  the  Govern- 
ment in  the  dominant  Radical  party  in  Congress,  and  a  policy  which  if 
not  early  arrested  by  the  American  people,  will  sooner  or  later  overwhelm 
our  national  Government  in  one  common  and  appalling  ruin.    We  demand 
the  unconditional  repeal  of  the  act  of  Congress  conferring  exclusive  rights 
or  privileges  upon  any  class  or  classes  of  citizens  at  the  expense  of  other 
classes. 

2.  That  we  demand  the  unconditional  repeal  of  acts  of  Congress,  con- 
ferring exclusive  rights  or  privileges  upon  any  class  or  classes  of  citizens 
at  the  expense  of  other  classes. 

3.  That  the  national  bank  system  organized  in  the  interest  of  the 
bondholders  ought  to  be  abolished,  and  United  States  notes  substituted  in 
lieu  of  the  national  bank  currency,  thus  saving  to  the  people  in  interest 
alone  more  than  eighteen  million  dollars  a  year;  and,  until  such  system  of 
banks  be  abolished,  we  demand  that  the  shares  of  such  banks  in  Indiana 
shall  be  subjected  to  the  same  taxation,   State  and  municipal,  as  other 
property  of  the  State. 

4.  That  the  bonds  and  other  securities  of  the  United  States  and  every 
description  of  property  should  bear  equal  proportion  of  taxation  for  State, 
county,   and   municipal   purposes,   and  to  that  end   the  bonds   ?md  other 
securities  of  the  United  States  ought  to  be  taxed  by  Congress  for  national 
purposes  in  amount  substantially  equal  to  the  tax  imposed  on  property 
in  the  several  States  for  local  purposes. 

.").  That  we  are  in  favor  of  the  payment  of  the  Government  bonds  in 
Treasury  notes,  commonly  called  greenbacks,  except  expressly  made  pay- 
able in  gold  by  law,  at  the  earliest  practicable  point. 

6.  «That  the  unjust  and  iniquitous  tariff  laws  now  in  force  ought  to  be 
repealed,  and  the  tariff  adopted  looking  to  revenue  only. 


1868]  INDIANA,  1850—1900.  33 

7.  That  the  monstrous  extravagance  of  the  Republican  leaders  in  the 
administration  of  government  at  all  times,  and  all  places,  has  been  profli- 
gate to  an  extent  unexampled  in  history;  and  for  the  hundreds  of  millions 
of  dollars  expended  by  them  since  the  termination  of  the  war,  they  have 
nothing  to  show  save  several  States  under  a  military  despotism,  oppres- 
sive law^s,  usurped  power,  and  a  mutilated  Constitution;  that  the  burden 
of  taxation,  too  grievous  to  be  borne,  demands  their  removal  from  all 
places  of  trust,  and  a  thorough  course  of  retrenchment  and  reform. 

8.  That  we  are  opposed  to  conferring  the  right  of  suffrage  on  negroes. 
We  deny  the  right  of  the  General  Government  to  interfere  with  the  ques- 
tion of  suffrage  in  any  of  the  States  of  the  Union. 

9.  That  it  is  the  duty  of  the  United  States  to  protect  all  citizens, 
whether  native-born  or  naturalized,  in  every  right  at  home  and  abroad, 
without  regard  to  the  pretended  claim  of  foreign  nations  to  perpetual 
allegiance. 

10.  That  the  attempt  to  regulate  the  moral  ideas  and  aspects  of  the 
people  by  legislation  is  unwise  and  despotic,  and  we  are  opposed  to  that 
class  of  legislation  which  seeks  to  prohibit  the  people  from  the  enjoyment 
of  all  proper  appetites  and  amusements. 

11.  That  we  shall  ever  hold  in  sacred  recollection  the  dead  who  freely 
sacrificed  their  lives  for  the  defense  of  our  glorious  Union,  that  the  present 
and  future  generations  might  enjoy  the  rich  inheritance  of  a  form  of 
government  that  secures  an  equality  of  rights  and  privileges  to  all  the 
citizens  thereof;  that  the  nation  owes  to  the  surviving  soldiers  and  sailors 
of  the  Union  the  highest  marks  of  praise  and  gratitude  for  the  great  sacri- 
fices they  made  in  the  late  war,  and  to  those  disabled  in  the  service  of 
the  Union,  and  the  widows  and  orphan  children  of  those  who  fell  in  battle, 
or  died  of  wounds,  or  in  the  military  service  of  the  Union,  such  personal 
aid  as  will  enable  them  to  enjoy  the  substantial  necessaries  of  life. 

12.  That  we  recognize  in  the  restoration  measures  of  Andrew  John- 
son, President  of  the  United  States,  a  policy  which  would  have  given 
peace,  security,  and  prosperity  to  the  State,  and  dispelled  the  dark  clouds 
caused  by  the  vindictive  measures  of  a  Radical  Congress.    The  adoption 
of  the  President's  policy  would,   in  our  opinion,  have  saved  the  nation 
the  expenditure  of  untold  millions  of  treasure,  lessened  the  burden  of 
taxation,  secured  peace  to  the  South,  and  prosperity  to  the  Union. 

13.  That  Major-General  Hancock,  by  his  order  at  New  Orleans,  rein- 
stating the  civil  law  and  dethroning  the  military  despotism,  has  mani- 
fested the  highest  respect  for  constitutional  liberty,  for  which  he  deserves 
the  commendation  of  all  friends  of  constitutional  government,  and  who 
revere  the  noble  profession  of  arms.    Like  the  great'  and  good  Washing- 
ton, this  gallant  soldier  had  learned  to  respect  the  civil  rights  of  all  good 
citizens,  and  to  declare  that  in  time  of  peace  military  tribunals  should 
have  no  place  in  our  jurisprudence.    Eternal  honor  to  the  soldier  who 
refused  to  rise  above  the  laws! 

14.  That  we  congratulate  the  Democracy  of  our  sister  State  of  Ohio 
on  the  gallant  political  campaign  closed  on  the  8th  day  of  October,  1867— a 
campaign  marked  by  the  highest  order  of  devotion,  ability,  and  effect, 
and  that  prominent  and  close  in  the  association  in  the  minds  of  our  fel- 
low-citizens of  Indiana  stands  the  name  of  the  Hon.  George  H.  Pendleton, 
identified  with  the  vital  measures  upon  which  our  party  enters  the  canvass 

3— Platforms. 


34:  POLITICAL  PLATFORMS.  [1868 

for  1868,  together  with  his  ability  as  a  statesman  and  his  high  personal 
qualities.  All  these  entitle  him  to  the  commendation  of  the  convention  as 
a  true  and  consistent  Democrat,  and  one  who  has  our  entire  confidence  and 
preference. 


THE  REPUBLICAN  PLATFORM,  J868. 

(The  Indianapolis  Journal,  February  21.) 

The  Union  Republican  party  of  Indiana,  assembled  in  convention  at 
Indianapolis,  on  the  20th  day  of  February,  1868,  to  consult  in  reference 
to  the  present  condition  of  the  country,  make  the  following  declaration  of 
principles: 

First.  The  Congressional  plan  of  reconstruction  was  made  necessary 
by  the  rejection  of  the  Constitutional  amendments,  and  the  continued 
rebellious  spirit  of  the  Southern  people;  and  if  they  will  not,  upon  the  con- 
ditions prescribed  by  Congress,  become  the  friends  of  the  Union,  it  is  the 
duty  of  Congress  to  do  whatever  the  emergency  requires  to  prevent  them 
from  doing  harm  as  enemies. 

Second.  The  extension  of  suffrage  to  the  negroes  of  the  South  is  the 
direct  result  of  the  rebellion  and  continued  rebellious  spirit  maintained 
therein,  and  was  necessary  to  secure  the  reconstruction  of  the  Union  and 
the  preservation  of  the  loyal  men  therein  from  a  state  worse  than  slavery, 
and  the  question  of  suffrage  in  all  the  loyal  States  belongs  to  the  people 
of  those  States  under  the  Constitution  of  the  United  States. 

Third.  The  government  of  the  United  States  should  be  administered 
with  the  strictest  economy  consistently  with  the  public  safety  and  interest. 
Revenue  should  be  so  laid  as  to  give  the  greatest  possible  exemption  to 
articles  of  primary  necessity  and  fall  most  heavily  upon  luxuries  and  the 
wealth  of  the  country,  and  all  property  should  bear  a  just  proportion  of 
the  burden  of  taxation. 

Fourth.  The  public  debt  made  necessary  by  the  rebellion  should  be 
honestly  paid;  and  all  the  bonds  issued  therefor  should  be  paid  in  legal 
tenders,  commonly  called  greenbacks,  except  where,  by  their  express 
terms,  they  provide  otherwise;  and  paid  in  such  quantities  as  will  make 
the  circulation  commensurate  with  the  commercial  wants  of  the  country, 
and  so  as  to  avoid  too  great  inflation  of  the  currency,  and  an  increase 
in  the  price  of  gold. 

Fifth.  The  large  and  rapid  contraction  of  the  currency,  sanctioned  by 
the  votes  of  the  Democratic  party  in  both  Houses  of  Congress,  has  had 
.a  most  injurious  effect  upon  the  industry  and  business  of  the  country; 
and  it  is  the  duty  of  Congress  to  provide  by  law  for  supplying  the  de- 
ficiency in  legal  tender  notes,  commonly  called  greenbacks,  to  the  full 
extent  required  by  the  business  wants  of  the  country. 

Sixth.  We  are  opposed  to  the  payment  of  any  part  of  the  rebel  debt, 
or  to  any  payment  whatever  for  emancipated  slaves. 

Seventh.  Of  all  who  were  faithful  in  the  trials  of  the  late  war,  there 
are  none  entitled  to  more  especial  honor  than  the  brave  soldiers  and  sea- 
men, who  endured  the  hardships  of  campaign  and  cruise,  and  imperiled 


1868]  INDIANA,  1850—1900.  35 

their  lives  in  the  service  of  their  country;  the  bounties  and  pensions  pro- 
vided by  law  for  these  braves  defenders  of  the  nation  are  obligations 
never  to  be  forgotten;  the  widows  and  orphans  of  the  gallant  dead  are 
the  wards  of  the  nation— a  sacred  legacy  bequeathed  to  the  nation's  pro- 
tecting care. 

Eighth.  The  public  lands  are  the  property  of  the  people;  the  monopo- 
lies of  them,  either  by  individuals  or  corporations,  should  be  prohibited; 
they  should  be  reserved  for  actual  settlers;  and,  as  a  substantial  recogni- 
tion of  the  services  of  the  Union  officers  and  soldiers  in  the  late  civil 
war,  they  should  each  be  allowed  one  hundred  and'  sixty  acres  thereof. 

Ninth.  The  doctrine  of  Great  Britain  and  other  European  powers, 
that  because  a  man  is  once  a  citizen  he  is  always  so,  must  be  resisted 
at  every  hazard  by  the  United  States,  as  a  relic  of  the  feudal  times,  not 
authorized  by  the  law  of  nations,  and  at  war  with  our  national  honor 
and  independence.  Naturalized  citizens  are  entitled  to  be  protected  in  all 
their  rights,  of  citizenship,  as  though  they  were  native  born,  and  no  citi- 
zen of  the  United  States,  native  or  naturalized,  must  be  liable  to  arrest 
and  imprisonment  by  any  foreign  power  for  acts  done  or  words  spoken  in 
this  country;  and,  if  so  arrested  and  imprisoned,  it  is  the  duty  of  the  gov- 
ernment to  interfere  in  his  behalf. 

Tenth.  We  cordially  approve  the  course  of  the  Republican  members 
of  Congress  in  their  active  support  of  the  bill  prohibiting  a  further  con- 
traction of  the  currency,  in  which  they  faithfully  represented  the  will  of 
the  people  of  Indiana.  And  this  convention  expresses  their  unwavering 
confidence  in  the  wisdom  and  patriotism  of  Oliver  P.  Morton— his  devotion 
to  the  vital  interests  of  the  nation  during  the  past  six  years  has  endeared 
him  to  every  lover  of  the  Union,  and  Liberty,  and  we  send  greeting  to 
him,  in  the  American  Senate,  and  assurance  to  him  of  our  unqualified 
endorsement  of  his  course. 

Eleventh.  General  Ulysses  S.  Grant,  and  the  Hon.  Schuyler  Colfax 
are  the  choice  of  Indiana  for  President  and  Vice-President  of  the  United 
States;  and  this  convention  hereby  instruct  the  delegates  to  the  National 
Convention  to  cast  the  vote  of  Indiana  for  these  gentlemen. 


36  POLITICAL  PLATFORMS.  [1870 


DEMOCRATIC  PLATFORM,  J870. 

(The  Indianapolis  Sentinel,  January  10.) 

That  the  Federal  Union,  with  all  the  rights  and  dignity  of  the  several 
States,  should  be  preserved;  and  to  secure  that  great  national  blessing  the 
Constitution  must  be  respected  and  observed  and  every  approach  to  cen- 
tralized despotism  defeated,  whether  attempted  by  Congress  or  the 
Executive. 

That  recent  events  have,  more  than  ever,  convinced  us  of  the  in- 
famous and  revolutionary  character  of  the  reconstruction  measures  of 
Congress,  and  we  denounce  these  measures  as  an  invasion  of  the  sovereign 
and  sacred  rights  of  the  people  and  of  all  the  States. 

That  the  independence  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  the  United  States  is 
essential  to  the  safety  and  security  of  the  States  and  the  people;  and  we 
declare  that  the  measures  of  Congress  having  in  view  the  destruction 
of  the  powers  of  that  Court,  to  adjudicate  on  the  constitutionality  of  the 
enactments  of  Congress  is  a  dangerous  evidence  of  the  usurpations  of  the 
legislative  over  the  judicial  department  of  the  Government. 

That  we  are  in  favor  of  a  tariff  for  revenue  only;  and  we  demand  that 
the  burdens  of  taxation  shall  be  fairly  and  equally  adjusted,  and  that  such 
an  adjustment  can  not  be  made  without  striking  from  the  statute  book 
the  present  unjust  and  odious  tariff  laws— a  system  of  taxation  based 
upon  favoritism,  and  which  has  destroyed  American  shipping  and  com- 
merce, oppressed  the  people  of  the  great  agricultural  regions  which  com- 
pels the  many  to  pay  to  the  few,  and  which  has  built  up  monopolies 
that  control  not  only  every  American  market,  but  also  the  legislation  of 
Congress;  and  we  demand  that  the  prime  articles  of  necessity,  such  as  tea, 
coffee,  sugar  and  salt,  shall  be  placed  upon  the  free  list. 

That  we  are  willing  to  pay  our  national  debt,  in  strict  compliance  with 
our  contracts,  whether  it  was  made  payable  in  gold  or  greenbacks,  but 
we  are  unwilling  to  do  more  than  that;  and  we  declare  that  the  five- 
twenty  bonds  are  payable  in  greenbacks,  or  their  equivalent;  and  we  con- 
demn the  policy  of  the  Administration  which  is  squandering  millions  of 
money  by  buying  such  bonds  at  a  high  rate  of  premium,  when  the  Govern- 
ment has  the  clear  right  to  redeem  them  at  par. 

That  the  National  Bank  system,  organized  in  the  interest  of  the  bond- 
holders, ought  to  be  abolished,  and  greenbacks  issued  in  lieu  of  such 
bank  paper,  thus  saving  millions  annually  to  the  people,  and  giving  to 
the  whole  people  (instead  of  the  few)  the  benefits  of  issuing  a  paper 
currency. 

That  the  business  of  the  country  demands  an  increased  and  main- 
tained volume  of  the  currency;  and  the  burthen  of  the  public  debt,  the  high 
rate  of  interest  and  taxation  imperatively  forbid  the  contraction  of  the 
currency  in  the  interest  of  the  bondholders. 

That  the  shares  of  stock  in  the  National  Banks  ought  to  be  subjected 
to  school  and  municipal  taxation  on  the  same  conditions,  as  other  prop- 
erty; and  we  demand  of  our  State  Legislature  that  the  shares  of  such 
Banks  shall  be  subjected  to  equal  taxation  with  other  property  of  the 
State. 


1870]  INDIANA,  1850—1900.  37 

That  the  bonds  of  the  United  States  ought  to  be  taxed  by  Congress 
for  national  purposes  to  such  an  extent  as  will  substantially  equalize  the 
taxation  of  such  bonds  with  other  property  subject  to  local  taxation. 

That  we  denounce  the  action  of  our  last  Legislature  in  attempting  to 
force  upon  the  people  the  proposed'  fifteenth  amendment  to  the  Constitu- 
tion of  the  United  States,  as  in  palpable  violation  of  our  State  Constitu- 
tion, and  we  solemnly  protest  against  Indiana  being  counted  for  said 
amendment;  and  we  hereby  declare  our  unalterable  opposition  to  its  rati- 
fication. 

That  any  attempt  to  regulate  the  moral  ideas,  appetites,  or  innocent 
amusements  of  the  people  by  legislation  is  unwise  and  despotic. 

That  we  are  opposed  to  any  change  in  the  naturalization  laws  of  the 
United  States,  whereby  admission  to  citizenship  will  be  made  more  diffi- 
cult or  expensive;  and  we  especially  denounce  the  proposed  plan  of  trans- 
ferring the  naturalization  of  aliens  to  the  Courts  of  the  United  States 
and  in  abridging  the  powers  of  State  courts  in  that  respect,  as  a  hard- 
ship and  expense  to  the  poor  and  friendless  candidate  for  American  citi- 
zenship; we  recognize  the  proposed  change  as  the  off-shoot  of  intolerant 
"Know-Notliingism"— the  "twin  relic"  of  Radicalism  itself. 


THE  REPUBLICAN  PLATFORM,  J870. 

(The  Indianapolis  Journal,  February  23.) 

The  Union  Republican  party  of  Indiana,  assembled  in  Convention  at 
Indianapolis,  on  the  22d  day  of  February,  1870,  makes  the  following  dec- 
laration of  principles: 

I. 

We  congratulate  the  country  on  the  restoration  of  law  and  order  in  the 
late  rebellious  States,  under  the  reconstruction  measures  adopted  by  the 
General  Government,  and  upon  the  prevalence  of  peace  and  return  of 
fraternal  feeling  among  the  people  of  all  the  States,  under  a  Constitution, 
securing  an  equality  of  political  and  civil  rights  to  all  citizens,  without 
distinction  of  race  or  color. 

II. 

FIFTEENTH   AMENDMENT. 

That  we  reverence  the  Constitution  of  the  United  States  as  the 
Supreme  law  of  the  land,  and  a  wise  embodiment  of  the  principles  of  free 
government,  and  following  its  teachings  we  will  adopt  from  time  to  time 
such  amendments  as  are  necessary  more  completely  to  establish  justice, 
insure  domestic  tranquility  and  secure  the  blessings  of  liberty  to  our- 
selves and  our  posterity;  and  that  we  rejoice  at  the  ratification  of  the 
Fifteenth  amendment  which  forever  secures  an  equality  of  political  rights 
to  all  men,  and  we  extend  to  the  colored  man  a  helping  hand  to  enable  him 
in  the  race  of  life  to  improve  and  elevate  his  condition. 


38  POLITICAL  PLATFORMS.  [1870 

III. 

NATIONAL   DEBT. 

That  the  national  debt  created  in  the  defense  and  preservation  of  the 
Union,  however  great  the  burden,  must  be  cheerfully  borne,  until  honor- 
ably and  honestly  extinguished  in  accordance  with  the  letter  and  spirit 
of  the  several  laws  authorizing  the  debt;  and  that  all  attempts  at  repudia- 
tion of  principal  or  interest  should  meet  the  scorn  and  denunciation  of  an 
honest  and  patriotic  people. 

IV. 

ECONOMY. 

That  we  demand  in  every  department  of  the  Government,  from  -the 
highest  to  the  lowest,  the  strictest  economy  in  all  expenditures,  consistent 
with  the  requirements  of  the  public  service;  the  reduction  and  abolish- 
ment of  all  extravagant  fees  and  salaries;  the  closing  of  all  useless  offices, 
and  the  dismissal  of  their  incumbents,  and  all  efforts  to  these  ends  in 
Congress,  or  elsewhere,  have  our  unqualified  approval. 

V. 

REDUCED   TAXES. 

That  a  reduction  of  taxation  is  demanded,  both  of  tariff  and  internal 
taxes,  until  it  reaches  the  lowest  amount  consistent  with  the  credit  and 
necessities  of  the  Government;  and  that  we  are  in  favor  of  a  tariff  for 
revenue,  believing  that  a  proper  adjustment  of  duties  must  necessarily 
afford  all  the  incidental  protection  to  which  any  interest  is  entitled. 

VI. 

CURRENCY. 

That  we  are  in  favor  of  a  currency  founded  on  the  national  credit,  as 
abundant  as  the  trade  and  commerce  of  the  country  demand;  and  that 
we  disapprove  of  all  laws  in  reference  thereto  which  establish  monopoly 
or  inequality  tnerein. 

VII. 

LANDS   AND    SUBSIDIES. 

That  we  are  opposed  to  the  donation  of  the  public  lands,  or  the  grant 
of  subsidies  in  money  to  railroads  and  other  corporations;  and  that  we 
demand  the  reservation  of  the  public  domain  for  the  use  of  actual  settlers 
and  educational  purposes. 

VIII. 

SOLDIERS   AND    SAILORS. 

That  we  reaffirm  that  "of  all  who  were  faithful  in  the  trials  of  the 
late  war,  there  are  none  entitled  to  more  especial  honor  than  the  brave 
soldiers  and  seamen  who  endured  the  hardships  of  campaign  and  cruise 


1870]  INDIANA,  1850—1900.  39 

and  imperiled  their  lives  in  the  service  of  their  country,  and  the  bounties 
and  pensions  provided  by  law  for  those  brave  defenders  of  the  nation  are 
obligations  never  to  be  forgotten,  and  should  be  paid  without  cost  to  the 
recipient.  The  widows  and  orphans  of  the  gallant  dead  are  the  wards  of 
the  nation— a  sacred  legacy  bequeathed  to  the  nation's  protecting  care." 

IX. 

ENDORSEMENT    OF   CONGRESS. 

That  we  approve  the  general  course  of  our  Senators  and  Republican 
Representatives  in  Congress,  and  express  our  full  and  entire  confidence 
that  they  will  act  with  wisdom  and  integrity  in  all  that  concerns  the  wel- 
fare of  the  people;  and  that  we  tender  thanks  to  Senator  Morton  for  his 
exertions  in  so  shaping  the  legislation  of  Congress  on  the  reconstruction 
of  the  late  rebel  States,  as  to  secure  the  passage  of  the  Fifteenth  Amend- 
ment. 

X. 

ENDORSEMENT    OF    THE   ADMINISTRATION. 

That  we  endorse  the  administration  of  General  Grant  as  President  of 
the  United  States;  accept  the  increased  collections  of  revenue,  the  reduction 
of  expenditures,  and  payment  of  a  large  portion  of  the  public  debt  as  a 
fulfillment  of  his  promises  of  economy,  and  rejoice  that  the  victorious 
General  of  the  Union  armies  should,  as  a  civil  officer,  receive  the  last  of 
the  rebel  States  in  its  return  to  the  national  family. 

XI. 

MORAL   LEGISLATION. 

Inasmuch  as  all  Republican  governments  depend  for  their  stability  and 
perpetuity  on  the  intelligence  and  virtue  of  the  people,  it  is  the  right  and 
duty  of  the  State  and  national  authorities  to  establish,  foster  and  secure 
the  highest  moral  and  intellectual  development  of  the  people. 

XII. 

COUNTY   REFORM. 

The  taxation  for  county  and  other  local  purposes  has  become  so  great 
as  to  be  oppressive  to  the  people;  that  our  system  of  county  administration 
needs  reform,  and  we  demand  of  our  representatives  in  the  Legislature 
such  changes  in  the  statutes  of  the  State  as  will  protect  the  people  from 
extravagant  tax  levies  by  local  authorities;  and  as  an  aid  to  this  needed 
reform  we  favor  a  reduction  of  the  fees  of  county  officers  to  a  standard 
which  will  furnish  a  fair  and  reasonable  compensation  for  the  services 
rendered,  and  that  no  officer  should  be  favored  with  salary,  fees,  or  per- 
quisites beyond  such  fair  and  reasonable  compensation. 


40  POLITICAL  PLATFORMS.  [1872 

XIII. 

CANAL    BONDS. 

That  the  canal  stocks,  issued  under  the  legislation  of  1840  and  1847, 
commonly  called  the  "Butler  Bill,"  were,  by  the  terms  of  the  contract, 
charged  exclusively  upon  the  Wabash  and  Erie  Canal,  its  revenues  and 
lands;  and  the  faith  of  the  State  never  having  been  directly  or  indirectly 
pledged  for  the  payment  or  redemption  thereof,  said  canal  stocks  there- 
fore constitute  no  part  of  the  outstanding  debts  or  liabilities  of  the  State. 
That  the  Constitution  of  this  State  ought  to  be  amended  at  the  earliest 
practicable  period,  so  as  to  prohibit  the  taking  effect  of  any  law  or  acts  of 
the  General  Assembly  proposing  to  recognize  or  create  any  liability  of  the 
State  for  the  said  canal  stock,  or  any  part  thereof,  until  such  proposition 
shall  have  been  submitted  to  a  direct  vote  of  the  people  of  the  State 
and  approved  by  them. 

XIV. 

ENDORSEMENT    OF   STATE  ADMINISTRATION. 

That  we  heartily  endorse  the  administration  of  our  State  affairs  by 
Governor  Baker,  and  his  associate  State  officers,  and  especially  congratu- 
late the  people  that  the  time  is  so  near  when  the  State  debt  will  be  en- 
tirely liquidated. 


DEMOCRATIC  PLATFORM,  1872. 

(The  Indianapolis  Sentinel,  June  13.) 

Resolved,  by  the  Democracy  of  Indiana,  in  convention  assembled: 
That  the  principles  of  the  Cincinnati  Liberal  Republican  Convention, 
taken  in  connection  with  the  propositions  contained  in  Horace  Greeley's 
letter  accepting  the  nomination  of  that  Convention,  constitute  a  platform 
on  which  all  the  elements  of  opposition  to  the  present  corrupt  Adminis- 
tration of  the  Federal  Government  can  stand,  and  which  propositions  are 
as  follows: 

1.  All  the  political  rights  and  franchises  which  have  been  acquired 
through  the  late  bloody  convulsions  must  and  shall  be  guaranteed,  main- 
tained, enjoyed,  respected  evermore. 

2.  All  the  political  rights  and  franchises  which  have  been  lost  through 
that  convulsion  should  and  must  be  promptly  restored  and  re-established, 
so  that  there  shall  be  henceforth  no  proscribed  class,  and  no  disfranchised 
caste  within  the  limits  of  our  Union,  whose  long  estranged  people  shall 
reunite  and  fraternize  upon  the  broad  basis  of  universal  amnesty,  with 
impartial  suffrage. 

3.  That,  subject  to  our  solemn  constitutional  obligation  to  maintain 
the  equal  rights  of  all  citizens,  our  policy  should  aim  to  local  self-govern- 
ment, and  not  at  centralization;  that  the  civil  authority  should  be  supreme 
over  the  military;  that  the  writ  of  habeas  corpus  should  be  jealously 
upheld  as  the  safeguard  of  personal  freedom;  that  the  individual  citizens 


1872]  INDIANA,  1850—1900.  4.^ 

should  enjoy  the  largest  liberty  consistent  with  public  order;  and  that 
there  shall  be  no  Federal  supervision  of  the  internal  policy  of  the  several 
States  and  municipalities,  but  that  each  shall  be  left  free  to  enforce  the 
rights  and  promote  the  well  being  of  its  inhabitants  by  such  means  as  the 
judgment  of  its  people  shall  prescribe. 

4.  That  there  shall  be  a  real  and  not  merely  a  simulated  reform  in  the 
civil  service  of  the  Republic;  to  which  end  it  is  indispensable  that  the 
chief  dispenser  of  its  vast  official  patronage  shall  be  shielded  from  the 
main  temptation  to^use  his  power  selfishly  by  a  rule  inexorably  forbidding 
and  precluding  his  re-election. 

Resolved,  That  we  regard  it  as  unwise  and  imprudent  to  place  two 
tickets  in  nomination  for  the  office  of  President  and  Vice-President  as  the 
representatives  of  these  principles,  as  the  division  of  its  friends  would  in- 
sure the  defeat  of  both,  and  it  is  therefore  the  fixed  conviction  of  this 
convention  that  the  Democratic  Convention  to  assemble  in  Baltimore  in 
July  should  adopt  the  nominees  of  the  Liberal  Republican  Convention, 
instead  of  making  other  nominations  for  the  Presidency  and  Vice-Presi- 
dency of  the  United  States. 

Resolved,  That  the  delegates  appointed  from  this  State  to  the  Balti- 
more Convention  be,  and  they  are  hereby  instructed  to  vote  as  a  unit 
upon  all  questions  in  accordance  with  the  opinion  of  a  majority  of  the 
delegation. 

Resolved,  That  all  drainage  and  other  lawTs  by  wrhich  the  owners  of 
property  may  be  divested  of  their  title  by  arbitrary  assessments  or  sum- 
mary process  should  be  carefully  guarded,  so  as  to  protect  the  people  from 
undue  oppression,  and  their  property  from  being  taken  without  just  com- 
pensation and  due  process  of  law;  and  that  all  laws  contravening  these 
principles  should  be  promptly  repealed,  or  modified  so  as  to  conform 
thereto. 

Whereas,  The  Union  soldiers  and  sailors,  by  their  patriotism  and 
courage  in  the  great  rebellion  of  1861,  preserved  the  life  of  the  nation  and 
made  our  public  domain  valuable;  therefore, 

Resolved,  That  we  demand  for  each  of  the  living  who  was  honor- 
ably discharged,  and  for  the  widows  or  orphans  of  the  dead,  one  hundre'd 
and  sixty  acres  of  the  public  lands— not  heretofore  entered,  or  given  away 
by  a  Republican  Congress  to  railroad  corporations— to  be  theirs  absolutely, 
without  requiring  them  to  become  actual  settlers  thereon. 

Resolved,  That  justice  and  equality  demand  that  all  soldiers  who  en- 
listed in  the  military  service  of  the  country  during  the  war  of  the  late 
rebellion,  and  who  have  been  honorably  discharged  therefrom,  shall  have 
a  bounty  granted  to  them  by  Congress  in  proportion  to  the  time  they  may 
have  served,  whether  that  time  shall  have  been  for  three  months  or  a 
longer  period. 


42  POLITICAL  PLATFORMS.  [1872 


REPUBLICAN  PLATFORM,  J872. 

(The  Indianapolis  Journal,  February  23.) 

1.  That  in  the  future,  as  in  the  past,  we  will  adhere  to  the  principles 
of  the  Declaration  of  Independence,  and  firmly  sustain  the  Constitution 
of  the  United  States  as  the  true  basis  of  popular  freedom;  and  will  main- 
tain the  equal  rights  of  all  men  before  the  laAv;  and  .the  authority  of  the 
National  Convention  against  all  false  theories  of  State  rights. 

2.  That  we  therefore  approve  of  the  acts  of  Congress,  and  of  the  ad- 
ministration, which  put  the  rights  of  all  citizens  under  the  protection 
of  the  National  authority  when  they  are  assailed  by  hostile  legislation,  or 
by  the  violence  of  armed  associations,  whether  open  or  secret;  and  we 
demand  the  enforcement  of  the  laws,  that  these  rights  may  be  securely 
and  amply  protected  wherever  and  whenever  invaded. 

3.  That  we  congratulate  the  country  on  the  complete  restoration  of 
the  Union;  and  now  as  heretofore,  the  Republican  party  remembers  with 
gratitude  our  brave  soldiers  and  seamen  who  imperiled  their  lives  in  the 
service  of  the  country,  and  to  whom  as  men  who  saved  the  nation  in  the 
hour  of  her  peril  we  owe  the  highest  honor;  and  we  declare  that  our 
obligations  to  them  shall  never  be  forgotten,  and  we  demand  that  the 
bounties  and  pensions  now,  or  which  may  be  provided  for  these  brave 
defenders  of  the  nation,  shall  be  paid  without  cost  to  the  recipients;  and 
that  the  widows  and  orphans  of  the  gallant  dead,  the  wards  of  the  nation, 
shall  receive  the  nation's  protecting  care,  and  while  we  cheerfully  assume 
all  these  burdens,  we  can  not  forget,  and  the  American  people  can  never 
forget,  that  to  the  Democratic  party,  South  and  North,  we  owe  all  the 
calamities  of  the  late  slave-holders'  rebellion,  and  the  debt  now  resting 
upon  the  industry  of  our  State  and  nation. 

4.  That  we  indorse  the  action  of  Congress,  and  of  the  administration 
in  maintaining  the  traditionary  policy  of  the  nation  of  living  in  friendly 
relations  with  other  governments,  yet  avoiding  entangling  alliances  with 
them,  as  evidenced  in  checking  hostile  expeditions  from  our  shores,  refus- 
ing to  interfere  in  domestic  revolutions,  even  where  our  sympathies  are 
strongly  enlisted,  and  agreeing  to  the  arbitration  of  disputed  claims,  while 
demanding  admission  of  the  wrong  done. 

5.  That  we  approve  the  action  of  Congress  and  of  the  present  admin- 
istration in  all  their  efforts  to  reduce  expenditures  in  the  several  depart- 
ments, and  in  the  reduction  of  the  tariff  and  internal  taxes  as  rapidly  as 
trie  exigencies  of  the  Government  will  admit,  while  continuing  to  main- 
tain the  public  credit  by  the  sure  and  gradual  payment  of  the  debt  of  the 
nation,  and  by  discharging  the  obligations  due  her  soldiers,  sailors  and 
pensioners. 

6.  That  we  favor  all  efforts  looking  to  the  development  of  the  great 
industrial  interests  of  the  State,  and  we  request  our  Senators  and  Repre- 
sentatives in  Congress  to  use  their  influence,  in  any  revision  of  the  tariff; 
to  secure  to  the  coal  and  iron  interests  of  our  State  all  the  incidental  pro- 
tection consistent  with  a  due  regard  to  the  principles  of  reducing  the  bur- 
den of  taxation. 

7.  That  the  adherence  of  Congress  and  the  administration  to  the  pres- 
ent financial  policy— in  spite  of  the  hostility  of  political  opponents— has 


1872]  INDIANA,  1850—1900.  43 

been  fully  justified  by  the  payments  made  on  the  public  debt,  and  in  the 
stability,  security  and  increased  confidence  it  has  given  to  all  the  business 
affairs  of  the  country. 

8.  That  the  financial  affairs  of  the  State  and  Nation  should  be  con- 
ducted on  the  principles  of  economy,  and  to  this  end  all  useless  offices 
should  be  abolished,  fees  and  salaries  limited  to  a  fair  compensation  for 
the  services  rendered,  and  by  prohibiting  the  allowance  of  all  perquisites, 
and  by  avoiding  all  unnecessary  appropriations  and  expenditures;  and  in 
this  State  we  favor  the  abolition  of  the  offices  of  Agent  of  State  and  State 
Printer. 

9.  That  we  are  opposed  to  granting  further  donations  of  public  lands 
to  railroads  or  other  corporations,  and  demand  that  the  public  domain  be 
reserved  for  the  use  of  actual  settlers,  the  discharge  of  the  obligations  of 
the  country  to  its  brave  defenders,  and  the  purposes  of  general  education. 

10.  That  Congress  ought  to  interfere  for  the  protection  of  immigrants, 
to  shield  them  from  the  unjust  exactions  levied  upon  them  in  the  shape 
of  capitation  taxes,  under  the  laws  of  New  York  and  other  seaboard 
States;  the  true  policy  of  the  country  being  to  extend  a  cordial  invitation 
to  the  citizens  of  other  countries  to  cast  their  lot  with  us,  and  share  on 
terms  of  perfect  equality  the  blessings  which  we  enjoy. 

11.  That  we  approve  the  efforts  being  made  for  the  vindication  of 
honest  government  by  the  exposure,  removal  and  punishment  of  corrupt 
officials,  whether  of  municipalities,  State  or  Nation;  we  hail  such  expo- 
sures, undeterred  by  fears  of  party  injury,  as  proof  of  the  integrity  of  the 
party;  and  we  spurn  the  attempts  of  the  opposition  to  turn  these  efforts 
at  self-purifkation  into  proofs  of  party  venality;    and  we.  demand  of  all 
public  officers  honesty,  sobriety  and  diligence  in  the  discharge  of  their 
duties.    And  we  announce  our  unrelenting  hostility  to  all  attempts  by  cor- 
porations, monopolies  or  combinations  to  influence  elections,  or  the  Legis- 
lature of  the  State,  by  the  use  of  corrupt  means. 

12.  That  as  a  general  dissemination  of  knowledge  and  learning  among 
the  people  is  essential  to  the  existence  of  a  free  republic,  we  hold  the 
public  free  schools  to  be  the  safeguard  of  our  liberties,  and  pledge  our- 
selves to  cherish  and  maintain  them. 

13.  That  we  are  in  favor  of  such  a  revision  of  our  criminal  code  as 
will  secure  the  more  speedy  and  effectual  administration  of  justice,  and 
such  wise  and  judicious  legislation  as  will  enforce  individual  responsibility 
for  all  acts  affecting  public  interests. 

14.  That  the  efforts  now  being  made  by  the  working  men  of  the  nation 
to  improve  their  own  condition,  and  more  completely  to  vindicate  their 
independence  of  class  subordination,  meet  our  cordial  approbation;  and 
for  proof  that  the  Republican  party  is  the  true  friend  of  the  laborer,  we 
point  to  the  fact  that  while  opposing  all  attempts  to  array  capital  and 
labor  against  each  other  as  mutually  destructive,  it  has  been  by  the  efforts 
of  this  party  that  labor  was  emancipated  from  the  ownership  of  capital: 
free  homesteads  provided  for  settlers  on  the  public  domain;  the  hours  of 
labor  reduced  and  complete  equality  of  rights  established  before  the  law; 
and  therefore  we  invite  working  men  to  seek  whatever  further  advantage 
or  amelioration  they  may  desire,  within  the  embrace  of  the  party  of  lib- 
erty and  equality. 


44:  POLITICAL  PLATFORMS.  [1874 

15.  That  the  joint  resolution  passed  by  the  last  General  Assembly  pro- 
posing to  amend  the  Constitution  so  as  to  prohibit  the  Legislature  from 
ever  assuming  or  paying  the  canal  debt  which  was  charged  exclusively 
upon  the  Wabash  and  Erie  canal  under  the  legislation  of  1846  and  1847, 
commonly  called  the  Butler  Bill,  ought  to  be  adopted  by  the  next  General 
Assembly,  and  submitted  to  the  people,  to  the  end  that  it  may  be  ratified 
and  become  a  part  of  the  Constitution. 

16.  That  we  endorse  the  administration  of  Governor  Conrad  Baker, 
and  applaud  the  firm,  able  and  courteous  manner  in  which  he  has  dis- 
charged the  duties  of  his  high  office,  and  we  greatly  regret  that  he  has 
not  had  the  co-operation  of  a  Republican  Legislature  to  carry  out  the 
various  measures  proposed  for  the  reformation  of  abuses,  the  protection 
of  the  people,  against  fraudulent  canal  claims  and  the  further  development 
of  the  immense  resources  of  the  State. 

17.  That  our  Senators  and  Republican  members  of  Congress  deserve 
the  approbation  of  their  constituents  for  the  firm,  able  and  energetic  man- 
ner in  which  they  have  discharged  their  duties. 

18.  That  the  administration  of  General  Grant  has  been  consistent 
with  the  principles  of  the  Republican  party,  and  eminently  just,  wise  and 
humane,  and  such  as  fulfills  his  pledges  and  deserves  our  cordial  support. 
And,  therefore,  we  instruct  our  delegates  to  the  National  Convention  to 
vote  for  the  renomination  of  Grant  and  Colfax  as  our  candidates  fo'r 
President  and  Vice-President. 


THE  INDEPENDENT  PLATFORM  (DEMOCRATIC),  1874. 

(The  Indianapolis  Sentinel,  June  11.) 

In  making  this  call,  and  presuming  to  enter  into  competition  with 
existing  parties,  it  is  meet  that  we  should  give  to  the  world  our  reasons, 
as  well  as  the  remedies,  we  propose  for  the  wrongs  of  which  we  com- 
plain. Starting,  then,  with  the  maxim  that  our  government  is  founded  on 
the  sovereignty  and  consent  of  the  governed,  and  its  purposes  to  protect 
property  and  enforce  natural  rights,  we  acknowledge  the  broad  prin- 
ciple, that  difference  of  opinion  is  no  crime,  and  hold  that  progress  toward 
truth  is  made  by  difference  of  opinion,  while  the  fault  lies  in  bitterness 
of  controversy.  We  desire  a  proper  equality,  equity  and  fairness,  protec- 
tion for  the  weak,  restraint  upon  the  strong;  in  short,  justly  distributed 
burdens  and  justly  distributed  powers;  these  are  American  ideas,  the  very 
essence  of  American  independence,  and  to  advocate  the  contrary  is  un- 
worthy of  the  sons  and  daughters  of  an  American  republic.  For  our 
business  interests  we  desire  to  bring  producers  and  consumers,  farmers 
and  manufacturers,  into  the  most  direct  and  friendly  relations  possible. 
We  wage  no  aggressive  warfare  against  any  other  interests  whatever; 
on  the  contrary,  all  our  acts  and  all  our  efforts,  so  far  as  business  is  con- 
cerned, are  not  only  for  the  benefit  of  the  producer  and  consumer,  but 
also  for  all  other  legitimate  interests  that  tend  to  bringing  these  two 
parties  into  speedy  and  economical  contact.  Hence  we  hold  that  trans- 
portation companies  of  every  kind  are  necessary  to  our  success;  that  their 


1874]  INDIANA,  1850—1900.    •  45 

interests  are  intimately  connected  with  our  interests,  and  harmonious 
action  is  mutually  advantageous.  We  shall,  therefore,  advocate  for  every 
State  the  increase,  in  every  possible  way,  of  all  the  facilities  of  trans- 
porting cheaply  to  the  seaboard  or  between  home  producers  and  consum- 
ers, all  the  productions  of  our  country.  We  adopt  it  as  our  fixed  purpose 
to  open  out  the  channels  in  nature's  great  arteries,  that  the  life  blood  of 
commerce  may  flow  freely.  We  are  not  enemies  of  railroads,  navigable 
and  irrigating  canals,  nor  of  any  corporation  that  will  advance  our  indus- 
trial interests.  We  are  friendly  to  all  laboring  classes,  but  we  hold  that 
all  class  legislation,  whereby  these  original  and  common  elements,  or  the 
proceeds  of  the  same,  enhanced  by  intelligent  labor,  are  prevented  from 
their  original  design,  and  made  to  enure  to  the  benefits  of  non-producers, 
and  to  the  injury  of  producers,  is  wrong  and  subversive  of  the  purposes  of 
good  government.  That  all  ablebodied,  intelligent  persons  should  con- 
tribute to  the  common  stock,  by  useful  industry,  a  sum  or  quantity  equal 
to  their  own  support,  and  legislation  should  tend  as  far  as  possible  to  the 
equitable  distribution  of  the  surplus  products. 

If  these  propositions  are  true,  our  government  is  wholly  perverted  from 
its  true  design,  and  the  sacred  names,  democracy  and  republicanism,  are 
the  synonyms  of  despotism,  and  the  parties  represented  thereby  as  now 
organized  are  engines  of  oppression,  crushing  out  the  lives  of  the  people. 
We  need  only  point  to  the  facts  that  in  this  beneficent  country  of  un- 
limited resources,  with  the  land  annually  groaning  beneath  the  products  of 
human  effort,  the  mass  of  the  people  have  no  supply  beyond  their  daily 
wants;  compelled  from  unjust  conditions  in  sickness  and  misfortune,  to 
become  paupers.  Pauperism  and  crime  are  the  perplexing  questions  of  all 
modern  statesmanship,  and  it  is  with  these  we  have  to  deal.  How  far 
these  evils  are  connected  with  the  abuses  inflicted  on  labor,  a  superficial 
statesmanship  seems  not  to  perceive.  Chattel  slavery  has  been  abolished, 
but  the  rights  and  relations  of  labor  stand  just  where  they  did  before 
the  emancipation,  in  respect  to  the  divisions  of  its  products.  The  differ- 
ence lies  only  in  the  methods  of  abstracting  the  results  and  concentrating 
them  in  the  hands  of  a  few  capitalists.  Capital  is  now  the  master,  and 
indicates  the  terms,  and  thus  all  laborers  are  -practically  placed  in  the 
same  condition  of  the  slave  before  his  emancipation.  In  thus  placing 
them,  the  interest  of  all  laborers  become  common,  and  they  must  fight 
the  battle  in  unity  if  they  would  succeed.  What,  then,  are  the  instru- 
mentalities by  which  these  wrongs  are  inflicted? 

1st.  Banking  and  monied  monopolies,  by  which,  through  ruinous  rates 
of  interest,  the  products  of  human  labor,  are  concentrated  in  the  hands 
of  non-producers.  This  is  the  great  central  source  of  these  wrongs,  in  and 
through  which  all  other  monopolies  exist  and  operate. 

2d.  Consolidated  railroads,  and  other  transit  monopolies,  whereby  all 
industries  are  taxed  to  the  last  mill  they  will  bear,  for  the  benefit  of  the 
stockholders  and  stock-jobbers. 

3d.  Manufacturing  monopolies,  whereby  all  small  operators  are 
crushed  out,  and  the  price  for  labor  and  its  products  are  determined  with 
mathematical  certainty  in  the  interest  of  the  capitalists. 

4th.  Land  monopolies,  by  which  the  public  domain  is  absorbed,  by  a 
few  corporations  and  speculators. 

5th.  Commercial  and  grain  monopolies,  speculating  and  enriching 
their  bloated  corporations  on  human  necessities.  We  propose  to  restore 


46  POLITICAL  PLATFORMS.  [1874 

the  government  to  its  original  purpose,  and  as  far  as  possible  to  remedy 
these  evils  and  remove  their  results. 

1.  By  abandoning  the  gold  basis  fallacy,  and  establishing  a  monetary 
system,  based  on  the  faith  and  resources  of  the  nation,  in  harmony  with 
the  genius  of  this  government  and  adapted  to  the  exigencies  of  legitimate 
commerce.    To  the  end  the  circulating  notes  of  the  national  and  State 
banks,  as  well  as  all  local  currency,  be  withdrawn  from  circulation,  and 
a  paper  currency  issued  by  the  government,  which  shall  be  a  legal  tender 
in  the  payment  of  all  debts,  public  and  private,  duties  on  imports  included, 
and  declared  equal  with  gold,  the  lawful  money  of  the  United  States; 
this  currency  or  money  to  be  interchangeable  at  the  pleasure  of  the  holders 
for  government  bonds  bearing  a  low  rate  of  interest,  say  3  65-100;  the 
government  creditors  to  have  the  privilege  of  taking  the  money  or  bonds 
at  their  election,  reserving  to  Congress  the  right  to  regulate  the  rate  of 
interest  on  the  bonds  and  the  volume  of  the  currency,  so  as  to  effect  the 
equitable  distribution  of  the  products  of  labor  between  money  or  non- 
producing  capital  and  productive  industry. 

2.  By  paying  the  national  debt  in  strict  accordance  with  the  laws 
under  which  it  was  originally  contracted,  gold,  where  specifically  prom- 
ised, but  all  other  forms  of  indebtedness,  including  the  principal  of  the 
5-20  bonds,  should  be  discharged  at  the  earliest  option  of  the  government 
in  the  legal  tender  currency  of  the  United  States,  without  funding  it  in 
long  bonds,  or  in  any  way  increasing  the  gold  paying  and  untaxed  obliga- 
tions of  the  government. 

Resolved,  That  we  are  in  favor  of  the  office  seeking  the  man,  and  not 
the  man  the  office;  that  we  will  endeavor  to  select  men  to  fill  the  various 
offices  who  are  honest  and  capable,  without  regard  to  former  political 
opinions;  that  we  detest  bribery,  corruption  and  fraud  in  obtaining  votes, 
either  by  the  use  of  money  or  whiskey,  and  will  not  support  any  man  for 
office  known  to  be  guilty  of  the  same;  and  that  we  are  opposed  to  solicit- 
ing any  man  to  fill  the  same  office  for  more  than  one  term  in  succes- 
sion, from  the  President  down. 

Resolved,  That  we  uncompromisingly  condemn  the  practice  of  our  pub- 
lic officers  in  receiving  free  passes  from  railroad  managers. 

Resolved,  That  we  denounce  the  action  of  our  last  Legislature  and  Rep- 
resentatives in  Congress,  and  the  Senate,  for  the  increase  of  taxes,  fees 
and  salaries,  and  we  will  use  all  honorable  means  in  our  power  to  reduce 
the  taxes,  fees  and  salaries  of  all  to  a  reasonable  basis. 

Resolved,  That  we  dejnand  the  reduction  of  all  public  expenditure,  to 
the  end  that  taxation  may  be  reduced  to  the  lowest  possible  limit. 

Resolved,  That  it  is  contrary  to  the  policy  of  good  government  to  en- 
courage litigation,  and  that  the  law  allowing  ten  per  cent,  on  judgments 
and  the  collection  of  attorney's  fees  off  of  defendant  encourages  litigation, 
favors  capital,  and  is  a  source  of  corruption  and  subserves  no  good  end, 
therefore,  ought  to  be  remedied  by  appropriate  legislation. 

Resolved,  That  the  present  assessment  laws  of  real  estate  imposes 
unequal  and  unjust  burdens  on  the  producing  class,  and  favors  capital  and 
corporate  wealth,  and  we  demand  its  speedy  amendment. 

Resolved,  That  we  demand  a  change  in  our  grand  jury  system,  that 
their  jurisdiction  extend  to  felonies  only. 

Resolved,  That  no  party  is  worthy  our  confidence  who  denies  the  right 
of  the  people  to  restrict  the  abuses  of  the  liquor  traffic. 


1874]  INDIANA,  1850—1900.  47 


THE  REPUBLICAN  PLATFORM,  J874. 

(The  Indianapolis  Journal,  June  18.) 

The  Republican  party  appeals  with  pride  and  confidence  to  its  past 
history,  in  proof  of  fidelity  to  its  principles  and  its  consistent  discharge 
of  duty  to  the  country,  in  peace  and  war.  These  principles,  and  the  meas- 
ures growing  out  of  them,  have  been  stamped  with  the  public  approval. 
There  is  no  taint  of  suspicion  now  resting  upon  its  honor  as  a  party.  It 
has  so  conducted  public  affairs  that,  at  the  last  Presidential  election,  one 
of  the  ablest  and  most  earnest  defenders  of  its  policy  was  accepted  as  the 
Democratic  candidate  for  the  Presidency— thereby  leaving  that  party  no 
other  hope  of  future  success  than  may  be  found  in  a  return  to  its  original 
and  abandoned  organization,  or  in  negative  hostility  to  measures  it  has 
solemnly  approved.  It  recognizes  the  fact  that  diversities  of  individual 
opinion  will  exist  in  reference  to  details  of  public  policy,  and  does  not 
seek  or  expect  precise  agreement  among  its  members,  in  all  such  details. 
Unity  in  fundamental  principles  is  all  that  can  reasonably  be  expected  in 
a  country  like  ours,  where  the  people  are  capable  of  intelligent  thought. 
Unlike  the  Democratic  party,  it  lays  no  claim  to  political  infallibility.  But 
it  does  claim  that  it  has  shown  itself  both  ready  and  competent  to  resist 
every  form  of  wrong  and  oppression— to  restrain  injustice,  to  remove  the 
public  ills  when  they  are  known  to  exist;  to  condemn  the  conduct  of  dis- 
honest and  faithless  public  agents,  and  to  detect  and  expose  abuses  in 
the  administration  of  government,  even  when  practiced  by  its  professed 
supporters.  It  has  never  failed  in  the  work  of  reform,  when  shown  to 
be  necessary.  No  offender,  detected  in  corruption,  has  escaped  its  condem- 
nation, no  matter  what  party  services  he  may  have  rendered.  It  has 
never  endeavored  to  defeat  the  public  will,  but  regards  the  people,  and  not 
mere  party  organizations  as  the  primary  source  of  all  political  power.  By 
Credit  Mobilier  investigation  its  repeal  of  the  "salary  grab"  saw  the  aboli- 
tion of  the  corrupting  moiety  system  and  of  the  Sanborn  contract  it  has 
shown  how  readily  it  pays  obedience  to  the  public  judgment.  By  its 
searching  investigation  into  abuses  in  the  District  of  Columbia  and  its 
prompt  condemnation  of  administrative  officers  it  has  demonstrated  its 
unabated  hostility  to  the  demoralizing  doctrine  that  "to  the  victors  belong 
the  spoils  of  office."  And  having  thus  secured  a  record  which  defies  im- 
peachment and  brought  the  country  into  its  present  condition  of  peace  and 
prosperity  by  measures  which  no  party  is  reckless  enough  to  assail  it  has 
left  no  practical  differences  to  settle  except  upon  mere  questions  of  admin- 
istrative policy.  And  yet  it  is  a  progressive  party— wedded  to  no  class  and 
the  especial  interests  of  no  class — but  as  the  party  of  the  people  it  suits 
its  policy  to  each  step  in  the  progress  of  those  developments  which  marks 
the  advancing  eras  of  our  prosperity. 

The  Republicans  of  Indiana  therefore  assembled  in  State  Convention, 
do  hereby  declare  their  unchangeable  determination  to  adhere  to  all  the 
fundamental  principles  of  the  Republican  party,  in  so  far  as  the  future 
condition  of  the  country  shall  require  their  enforcement. 

1.  As  the  Union  remains  unbroken,  and  the  people  of  all  the  sections 
are  again  bound  together  as  brethren  by  a  common  destiny  and  under  a 


48  POLITICAL  PLATFORMS.  [1874 

common  flag,  we  favor  such  measures  as  shall  develop  the  material  re- 
sources of  every  portion  of  it;  secure  to  all,  of  every  class  and  condition, 
full  protection  in  all  the  just  rights  of  person  and  property;  remove  all  the 
acerbities  of  the  past,  and  perpetuate  the  nation  as  the  "Model  Republic" 
of  the  world. 

2.  We  recognize  that  as  the  true  policy  of  government  which  shall 
harmonize  all  the  diversified  interests  and  pursuits  necessarily  existing 
in  a  country  of  such  vast  extent  as  ours;  and  as  this  can  be  done  only  by 
so  directing  legislation  as  to  secure  just  protection  and  reward  to  every 
branch  of  industry,  we  are  in  favor  of  giving  precedence  to  those  measures 
which  shall  recognize  agricultural  and  mechanical  pursuits  as  entitled  to 
the  amplest  protection  and  the  fullest  development;  of  putting  a  stop  to 
large  grants  of  the  public  domain  to  railroad  corporations,  and  reserving 
it  for  settlement  and  cultivation;  of  improving  the  navigation  of  our  great 
inland  rivers;  of  securing  cheap  transportation  and  profitable  markets  for 
the  products  of  argicultural  and  manufacturing  labor;  of  encouraging  such 
manufacturers  as  shall  bring  the  consumer  and  the  producer  in  the  neigh- 
borhood of  each  other,  and  thus  to  establish  mutual  relations  between 
them  and  those  engaged  in  commerce  and  transportation;  of  properly  ad- 
justing the  relations  between  capital  and  labor  in  order  that  each  may 
receive  a  just  and  equitable  share  of  profits,  and  of  holding  those  in  the 
possession  of  corporate  wealth  and  privileges  in  struct  conformity  to  law, 
so  that  by  these  combined  influences  the  people  of  all  the  varied  pursuits 
may  be  united  together  in  the  common  purpose  of  preserving  the  honor 
of  the  nation,  of  developing  the  immense  resources  of  every  section  of  the 
Union  and  of  advancing  the  social  and  material  prosperity  of  all  its  in- 
dustrial and  laboring  classes. 

3.  We  are  in  favor  of  such  legislation  on  the  question  of  finances  as 
shall  make  national  banking  free;  as  shall  furnish  the  country  with  such 
an  additional  amount  of  currency  as  may  be  necessary  to  meet  the  wants 
of  the  agricultural,  industrial  and  commercial  interests  of  the  country — 
to  be  distributed  between  the  sections  according  to  population — and  such 
as,  consistent  with  the  credit  and  honor  of  the  nation  will  avoid  the  pos- 
sibility of  permitting  capitalists  and  combinations  of  capital  from  con- 
trolling the  currency  of  the  country. 

4.  We  are  in  favor  of  such  a  revision  of  our  patent  right  laws  as  shall 
destroy  the  oppressive  monopoly  incident  to  the  present  system,  and  shall 
regulate  and  control  the  manufacture,  use  and  sale  of  patent  right  articles, 
for  the  benefit  alike  of  the  inventor,  consumer  and  manufacturer. 

5.  That  the  Republican  party  continues  to  express  its  gratitude  to  the 
soldiers  and  sailors  of  the  republic  for  the  patriotism,  courage  and  self- 
sacrifice  with  Avhich  they  gave  themselves  to  the  preservation  of  the  coun- 
try during  the  late  civil  war;  and  will  especially  recognize  the  services  of 
the  enlisted  men  by  favoring  the  extension  from  time  to  time,  as  the  ability 
of  the  Government  will  permit,  of  the  pension  and  bounty  laws. 

6.  In  the  opinion  of  this  convention  intemperance  is  an  evil  against 
which  society  has  the  right  to  protect  itself;  that  our  whole  system  of 
legislation  throughout  all  the  history  of  the  State  has  asserted  and  main- 
tained this  right,  and  it  can  not  now  be  surrendered  without  yielding  up 
that   fundamental   principle  of   American   government   which   places   the 
power  of  passing  laws  in  the  hands  of  a  majority;  therefore,  we  are  in 


1870]  INDIANA,  1850—1900. 


49 


favor  of  such  legislation  as  will  give  a  majority  of  the  people  the  right  to 
determine  for  themselves,  in  their  respective  towns,  townships  or  wards, 
whether  the  sale  of  intoxicating  liquors  for  use  as  a  beverage  shall  be  per- 
mitted therein,  and  such  as  will  hold  the  vendor  responsible  for  all  dam- 
ages resulting  from  such  sales. 

7.  We  favor  the  enactment  of  a  law  limiting  the  power  of  the  Town- 
ship Trustee,  County  Commissioners,  and  municipal  authorities  to  assess 
taxes,  and  increase  township,  county  and  municipal  indebtedness. 

8.  Inasmuch  as  great  abuses  have  grown  up  under  our  present  system 
of  fees  and  salaries,  we  demand  such  legislation  as  will  so  reduce  and  reg- 
ulate all  fees  and  salaries  as  will  allow  no  more  than  a  fair  and  just 
compensation  for  services  rendereu. 

9.  We  look  with  pride  and  satisfaction  upon  our  common  school  sys- 
tem, and  regain!  its  munificent  fund  as  a  sacred  trust  to  be  faithfully  and 
honestly  administered,  so  that  all  the  children  of  the  State  may  be  edu- 
cated in  the  duties  of  citizenship,  and  thereby  become  better  able  to  per- 
petuate our  popular  institutions;  and  whosoever  shall  seek  to  strike  it 
down,  or  to  impair  its  usefulness,  will  meet  our  ceaseless  and  unrelenting 
opposition. 

10.  We  have  entire  confidence  in  the  integrity  and  honor  of  the  Presi- 
dent of  the  United  States;  and  our  Senators  and  Republican  Representa- 
tives in  Congress  are  entitled  to  our  thanks  for  the  zeal  with  which  they 
have  represented  the  principles  of  the  Republican  party  during  the  present 
sessi<m  of  Congress:  and  the  Republicans  of  Indiana  -view  with  especial 
pride  and  hearty  approval  the  course  of  Senators  O.  P.  Morton  and  D.  D. 
Pratt,  and  the  fidelity  and  ability  with  which  they  have  represented  the 
sentiments  of  the  people  of  this  State. 


THE  DEMOCRATIC  PLATFORM,  J876. 

(The  Indianapolis  Sentinel,  April  20.) 

The  Democracy  of  Indiana  declare  their  fidelity  to  all  the  provisions 
of  the  federal  constitution,  to  a  perpetual  union  of  the  States,  to  local 
self-government  in  every  section,  to  all  public  trusty  and  obligations,  to 
the  honest  payment  of  the  public  debt,  to  the  preservation  of  the  public 
faith,  to  the  maintenance  of  the  free  schools,  and  to  the  pure  and  econom- 
ical administration  of  the  federal,  State  and  municipal  governments.  They 
contemplate  with  alarm  the  distress  that  prevails,  the  widespread  financial 
ruin  that  impends  over  the  people,  and  the  corruption  that  pervades  the 
public  service,  and  they  charge  that  these  evils  are  the  direct  results  of 
the  personal  government,  unwise  legislation,  vicious  financial  policy,  ex-' 
travagance,  the  great  contraction  of  the  currency  and  selflshnesfe  of  the 
party  and  its  officials  who  have  so  long  held  unchecked  control.  Inviting 
all  who  believe  in  and  earnestly  desire  official  purity  and  fidelity,  the  ad- 
justment of  financial  questions  upon  a  sound  basis,  having  a  regard  for  the 
interests  and  welfare  of  the  whole  people,  and  not  a  class,  and  the  recog- 
nition of  a  final  settlement  of  all  questions  submitted  to  the  arbitrament  of 
the  sword  to  unite  with  them,  they  declare 

4— Platforms. 


50  POLITICAL  PLATFORMS.  [1876 

1.  That  the  civil  service  of  the  government  has  become  corrupt,  and 
is  made  the  object  of  personal  gain,  and  that  it  is  the  first  duty  the 
people  owe  to  themselves  and  the  government  to  restore  the  tests  of  hon- 
esty, capacity  and  fidelity  in  the  selection  of  persons  to  fill  all  public 
positions. 

2.  The  repeated  exposures  of  corruption  in  the  administration  of  every 
branch  of  public  affairs  call  for  continued  and  thorough  investigation,  not 
only  that  corrupt  practices  may  be  brought  to  light,  and  guilty  parties 
to  punishment,  but  also  that  it  may  be  made  clear  to  the  people  that  their 
only  remedy  for  reform  is  by  making  a  general  and  thorough  change. 

3.  That  retrenchment  and  economy  are  indispensable  in  federal,  State 
and  municipal  administration,  as  an  essential  means  towards  lessening  the 
burdens  of  the  people,  and  we  commend  the  efforts  of  the  majority  of  the 
House  of  Representatives  for  the  reduction  of  the  expenditures  of  the 
federal  government  to  a  just  standard,  and  their  determination  to  lessen 
the  number  of  useless  offices. 

4.  We  believe  in  our  ancient  doctrine  that  gold  and  silver  are  the  true 
and  safe  basis  for  the  currency,  and  we  are  in  favor  of  measures  and 
policies  that  will  produce  uniformity  in  value  in  the  coin  and  paper  money 
of  the  country  without  destroying  or  embarrassing  the  business  interests  of 
the  people.    We  oppose  the  contraction  of  the  volume  of  our  paper  cur- 
rency, but  declare  in  favor  of  the  adoption  of  measures  looking  to  the 
gradual  retirement  of  the  circulation  of  the  national  banks,  and  the  sub- 
stitution therefor  circulating  notes  issued  by  authority  of  the  government. 

5.  We  recognize  with  patriotic  satisfaction  the  vast  recuperative  ener- 
gies with  which  our  country  is  endowed,  and  we  observe  that  in  spite  of 
the  constant  interference  with  the  laws  of  commerce  which  has  been 
practiced,  our  currency  has  improved  in  proportion  as  our  wealth  has 
increased,   and  the  sense  of  national  and  local  security  has  been  con- 
firmed.   We  are,  therefore,  of  the  opinion  that  a  natural  return  to  specie 
payments  will  be  promoted  by  the  increase  of  national  wealth  and  indus- 
tries, by  the  assurance  of  harmony  at  home  and  peace  abroad,  and  by 
strengthening  our  public  credit  under  a  wise  and  economical  administra- 
tion of  our  national  affairs. 

6.  The  legal  tender  notes  constitute  a  safe  currency,  and  one  especially 
valuable  to  the  debtor  classes,  because  of  its  legal  tender  quality.    We  de- 
mand the  repeal  of  the  legislation  enacted  by  the  Republican  party  pro- 
viding for  its  withdrawal  from  circulation  and  the  substitution  therefor 
of  national  bank  paper. 

7.  The  act  of  Congress  for  the  resumption  of  specie  payments  on  the 
first  of  January,  1879,  was  a  party  measure  devised  in  secret  caucus  for 
party  ends,  and  forced  through  the  House  of  Representatives  without  the 
allowance  of  amendment  or  debate  under  party  discipline;  it  paralyzes 
industry,  creates  distrust  of  the  future,  turns  the  laborer  and  producer  out 
of  employment,  is  a  standing  threat  upon  business  men,  and  should  at 
once  be  repealed  without  any  condition  whatever. 

8.  As  Democrats,  we  may  indulge  in  laudable  pride  at  the  great  suc- 
cess of  our  common  school  system,  which  had  its  origin  in  Democratic 
policy,  and  its  development  in  Democratic  measures.    We  will  stand  by 
and  forever  maintain  our  constitutional  provision  which  guarantees  our 
common  school  fund  from  diminution  and  misappropriation,  and  its  use 


187G]  INDIANA,  1850—1900.  51 

only  to  support  non-sectarian  common  schools,  and  we  denounce  as  ene- 
mies of  the  schools  the  Republican  politicians,  who,  for  party  ends,  have 
sought  to  bring  them  into  political  and  sectarian  controversy. 

0.  We  believe  that  a  license  law  properly  guarded  is  the  true  prin- 
ciple in  legislation  upon  the  liquor  traffic. 

10.  It  is  not  the  right  of  any  political  party  to  make  the  just  claims  of 
the  Union  soldiers,  their  widows  ;ind  children,  the  subject  of  partisan  con- 
troversy, for  such  rights  are  most  secure  when  protected  by  all  the  people, 
and  are  endangered  only  when  thrown  into  the  political  arena  by  dema- 
gogues.   We  will  stand  by  and  maintain  their  rights  to  honors,  to  pen- 
sions, and  to  equal  bounties— not  as  partisans,  but  because  it  is  our  duty 
and  pleasure  as  citizens. 

11.  That  the  jurisdiction  of  the  United  States  Courts  in  civil  causes 
has  been  extended  so  as  to  become  a  burden  to  the  people  by  increased 
costs  in  said  courts  and  forcing  citizens  to  try  their  causes  at  the  capital 
of  the  States  or  places  distant  from  their  homes. 

1±  We  approve  the  bill  which  recently  passed  the  House  of  Repre- 
sentatives, prohibiting  members  of  Congress  and  all  officers  and  employes 
of  the  United  States  from  contributing  money  to  influence  elections. 

13.  That  we  are  opposed  to  the  assumption  by  Congress  of  the  debts 
of  the  District  of  Columbia,  contracted  by  the  late  corrupt  ring,  and  we 
believe  the  United  States  Government  should  pay  her  equal  share  and  just 
proportion  for  improvements  made  in  said  district  the  same  as  other  own- 
ers of  property  are  liable  for  and  have  to  pay,  and  no  more. 

14.  That  we  are  opposed  to  the  payment  of  any  part  of  the  rebel  debt, 
or  to  any  payment  whatever  for  emancipated  slaves,  or  the  property  of 
rebels  destroyed  in  war. 

1.1.  That  the  people  of  Indiana  recognize  with  pride  and  pleasure  the 
eminent  public  service  of  the  Hon.  Thomas  A.  Hendricks.  In  all  public 
trusts  he  has  been  faithful  to  duty  and  in  his  public  and  private  life  pure 
and  without  blemish.  We  therefore  declare  that  he  is  our  unanimous 
Choice  for  the  Presidency  of  the  United  States. 

10.  That  the  delegates  to  the  Democratic  National  Convention,  this 
day  appointed,  be  and  they  are  hereby  instructed  to  cast  the  vote  of  this 
State  in  said  convention,  as  a  unit,  in  such  manner  as  the  majority  of  the 
-delegates  may  determine. 


POLITICAL  PLATFORMS.  [1876 


THE  REPUBLICAN  PLATFORM,  J876. 

(The  Indianapolis  Journal,  February  23.) 

I.  We  will  remain  faithful  to  the  principles  of  the  National  Republican 
party  in  all  things  concerning  the  administration  of  national  affairs,  until 
every  right  guaranteed  by  the  constitution  shall  be  fully  secured  and  en- 
joyed—until all  existing  laws  shall  be  faithfully  executed  and  such  others 
shall  be  passed  as  are  necessary  to  that  end— until  the  ballot  box  shall  be 
protected  against  all  frauds  and  violence — until  the  right  of  popular  rep- 
resentation shall  be  fully  vindicated,  and  until  all  voters,  whether  white 
or  black,  shall  be  so  secured  in  the  right  to  cast  their  ballots  that  the  laws 
shall  rest  upon  "the  consent  of  the  governed." 

,  II.  We  do  not  recognize  the  right  of  the  State  to  impede  the  execution 
of  the  National  laws,  or  to  impair  any  of  the  rights  conferred  by  them,  and 
hold  it  to  be  the  duty  of  the  Government  to  see  that  these  laws  are  exe- 
cuted in  every  State,  and  that  all  these  rights  are  enjoyed  without  impedi- 
ment or  hindrance. 

III.  We  hold  the  government  of  the  United  States  to  be  a  nation,  and 
not  a  mere  conferedation  of  States;  that  it  represents  the  sovereign  au- 
thority of  the  people  of  the  United  States,  and  not  the  States;  that  a» 
the  constitution  and  laws  of  the  National  Government  are  supreme,  no 
State  has  the  right  to  resist  or  impede  their  execution,  or  to  withdraw  from 
the  Union  in  consequence  thereof;  and  that  although  the  result  of  the  late 
rebellion  settled  this  question  against  the  right  to  secede,  yet  the  future 
harmony  and  safety  of  the  Union  require  that  this  doctrine  shall  be  so 
condemned  that  under  no  possible  exigency   shall   it  ever  be  hereafter 
revived. 

IV.  While  we  believe  that  the  National  Government  is  entirely  inde- 
pendent of  the  States,  when  acting  within  its  own  proper  circle,  we  also 
believe  that  the  State  governments  are  entirely  independent  of  the  National 
when  acting  within  their  own  proper  circles;  and  we  will  maintain  this  in- 
dependence of  both,  to  the  end  that  harmony  may  exist  between  them,  that 
the  national  welfare  may  be  advanced,  and  that  the  States  may  be  secured 
in  the  exercise  of  ample  jurisdiction  over  all  their  domestic  affairs,  so 
that  they  may  be  enabled  to  develop  their  material  interests  and  employ 
all  the  means  necessary  to  the  intellectual  and  moral  enlightenment  of  the 
people. 

V.  We  are  willing  and  anxious  to  restore  entirely  amicable  relations 
between  the  people  of  the  Northern  and  those  of  the  Southern  States  who 
were  engaged  in  the  rebellion,  and  with  a  view  thereto  are  ready  to  forgive 
and  grant  amnesty  to  all  those  who  desire  to  be  forgiven  and  amnestied— 
but  we  are  neither  willing  or  ready  to  extend  this  forgiveness  and  amnesty 
to  those  who  remain  unrepentant  for  their  attempt  to  destroy  the  Union, 
or  to  place  the  rebellion  and  those  who  fought  on  its  side  upon  an  equality 
with  the  cause  of  the  Union  and  the  gallant  soldiers  who  defended  it — 
we  believe  that  the  war  for  the  Union  was  right  and  the  rebellion  wrong, 
and  that  thus  it  should  forever  stand  in  history. 

VI.  We  have  no  wish  to  see  disfranchised  any  officer,  soldier  or  citi- 
zen who  defended  the  cause  of  the  confederacy,  and  has  been  amnestied; 


187G]  INDIANA,  1850—1900.  53 

under  existing  laws— but  when  faithful  Union  soldiers,  who  were  honestly 
discharging  the  duties  of  office  have  been  removed  to  make  place  for  any 
of  these,  the  act  is  so  flagrant  an  insult  to  the  Union  cause  and  those 
who  risked  their  lives  for  it,  that  it  deserves  the  rebuke  and  condemnation 
of  the  whole  country,  and  the  special  censure  of  every  loyal  soldier. 

VII.  We  believe  that  in  conducting  the  civil  service,  men  should  be 
selected  for  office  on  account  of  their  qualifications,  integrity  and  moral 
character  and  not  on  account  of  mere  party  service,  in  order  that  thereby 
the  public  business  may  be  faithfully  conducted,  administrative  economy 
secured  and  the  patronage  of  the  government  be  so  dispensed  that  it  shall 
not  be  brought  "in  conflict  with  the  freedom  of  elections." 

VIII.  We  believe  that  all  men  are  equal  before  the  law,  and  that 
this  great  and  fundamental  principle  our  free  institutions  can  not  be 
departed  from  without  violating  their  genius  and  spirit;  and,  in  order 
that  equal  justice  shall  be  done  to  all  and  special  privileges  conferred  on 
none,  it  is  the  duty  of  the  government  to  provide,  by  all  necessary  laws, 
for  its  preservation  and  enforcement. 

IX.  We  insist  on  perfect  religious  freedom,  and  freedom  of  conscience 
to  every  individual;  are  opposed  to  any  interference  whatever  with  the 
church  by  the  State,  or  with  the  State  by  the  church,  or  to  any  union  be- 
tween them;  and  in  our  opinion  it  is  incompatible  with  American  citizen- 
ship to  pay  allegiance  to  any  foreign  power,  civil  or  ecclesiastical  which 
asserts  the  right  to  include  the  action  of  civil  government  within  the  domain 
of  religion  and  morals,  because  ours  is  a  "government  of  the  people,  by  the 
people,  and  for  the  people,"  and  must  not  be  subject  to  or  interfered  with 
by  any  authority  not  directly  responsible  to  them. 

X.  A  country  so  bountifully  supplied  as  ours  is  with  all  the  sources 
of  wealth— possessing  unsurpassed  capacity  for  production,  every  facility 
for  the  growth  of  mechanic  and  manufacturing  arts,  and  all  the  agencies 
of  labor,  needs  the  fostering  aid  of  government  to  establish  its  mate- 
rial prosperity  upon  a  durable  basis— in  our  opinion,  therefore,  it  is  the 
duty  of  the  government  so  to  regulate  its  revenue  system  as  to  give  all 
needful   encouragement  to  our  agricultural,  mechanical  and  mining  and 
manufacturing   enterprises,   so   that   harmonious   relations   may   be  per- 
manently established  between  labor  and  capital,  and  just  remuneration 
be  secured  to  both. 

XI.  In  our  opinion  it  is  the  duty  of  the  government,  in  passing  laws 
for  raising  revenue,  so  to  lay  taxes  as  to  give  the  greatest  possible  exemp- 
tion to  articles  of  primary  necessity,  and  to  place  them  most  heavily  upon 
luxuries  and  the  wealth  of  the  country. 

XII.  We  believe  that  it  is  the  duty  of  the  government  in  furnishing 
National  currency  so  to  regulate  it  as  to  provide  for  its  ultimate  redemp- 
tion in  gold  and  silver;  that  any  attempt  to  hasten  this  period  more  rapidly 
than  it  shall  be  brought  about  by  the  laws  of  trade  and  commerce  is  inex- 
pedient; therefore,  in  our  opinion,  so  much  of  the  so-called  resumption  act 
as  fixes  the  time  for  the  resumption  of  specie  payments  should  be  repealed; 
and  after  such  repeal  the  currency  should  remain  undisturbed— neither 
contracted  nor  expanded,  we  being  assured  that  the  financial  troubles  of 
the  country,  when  relieved  from  interference,  will  be  speedily  and  perma- 
nently cured  by  the  operation  of  the  natural  laws  of  trade,  and  by  pre- 
serving that  course  of  policy  which  the  republican  party  has  constantly 


54  POLITICAL  PLATFORMS.  [1876 

maintained  of  steadily  looking  to  an  ultimate  resumption  of  specie  pay- 
ments. 

XIII.  The  greenback  currency  was  created  by  the  republican  party 
as  a  matter  of  absolute  necessity,  to  carry  the  government  successfully 
through  the  war  of  the  rebellion  and  save  the  life  of  the  Nation — it  met 
the  fierce  opposition  of  the  democratic  party  on  the  declared  ground  that 
it  was  unconstitutional  and  would  prove  worthless,  and  if  this  opposition 
had  been  successful  the  war  would  have  resulted  in  the  independence  of 
the  Southern  Confederacy.     If  the  democratic  party  was  sincere  in  this 
opposition,  one  of  its  objects  in  now  seeking  to  obtain  possession  of  the 
government  must  be  to  destroy  this  currency,  along  with  that  furnished 
by  the  National  banks,  so  that  the  country  may  be  compelled  to  return  to 
the  system  of  local  and  irresponsible  banking  which  existed  under  the 
administration  of  Mr.  Buchanan;  and  therefore,  as  it  is  necessary  that 
this  currency  shall  be  maintained  in  order  to  save  the  country  from  this 
most  ruinous  system  of  local  and  irresponsible  banking,  and  from  conse- 
quent financial  embarrassments,  its  best  interests  require  that  it  shall  be 
left  in  the  hands  of  its  friends  and  not  be  turned  over  to  its  enemies. 

XIV.  When  the  republican  party  obtained  possession  of  the  govern- 
ment in  1861,  the  annual  expenditures  were  greater  than  the*  receipts  from 
revenue,  in  consequence  of  a  general  derangement  in  commerce  and  trade 
brought  on  by  maladministration.    A  large  amount  of  Treasury  notes  had 
been  issued  and  thrown  upon  the  market  to  make  up  the  deficiency — the 
credit  of  the  United  States  was  below  par,  and  in  addition  to  these  finan- 
cial embarrassments,  it  inherited  from  the  administration  of  Mr.  Buchanan 
a  domestic  war  of  immense  proportions;  yet  it  has  so  conducted  the  gov- 
ernment that  its  credit  has  been  placed  above  par,  and  its  bonds  are  sought 
after  in  all  the  great  money  markets  of  the  world,  notwithstanding  the 
magnitude  of  the  war  and  the  debt  necessarily  occasioned  thereby;  and 
the  revenues  have  been  so  increased  and  so  faithfully  collected  and  eco- 
nomically applied  that  in  addition  to  the  ordinary  expenses  over  $500,- 
000,000  of  the  public  debt  have  been  paid,  and  regular  monthly  payments 
are  made  thereon,  and  thus  the  absolute  necessity  of  continuing  the  policy 
by  which  these  results  have  been  achieved  is  fully  demonstrated. 

XV.  We  remain,  as  heretofore,  irrevocably  opposed  to  the  payment  of 
any  part  of  the  rebel  debt,  or  to  any  payment  whatever  for  emancipated 
slaves,  or  the  property  of  rebels  destroyed  in  war. 

XVI.  We  demand  that  the  government  of  the  United  States,  as  well  as 
that  of  this  State,  shall  be  administered  with  the  strictest  economy  consis- 
tent with  the  public  safety  and  interest. 

XVII.  The  ordinance  of  1787  made  it  the  duty  of  the  States  formed 
out  of  the  territory  of  the  Northwest  to  forever  encourage  schools  and  the 
means  of  education  as  necessary  "for  extending  the  principles  of  civil 
and  religious  liberty."     Washington  declared  that  "the  education  of  our 
youth  in  the  science  of  government"  is  necessary  to  prepare  them  for 
becoming  "the  future  guardians  of  the  liberties  of  the  country."     Jef- 
ferson placed  education  "among  the  articles  of  public  care."    Madison  said 
that  by  its  general  diffusion  it  would  enlighten  the  opinions,  expand  the 
patriotism,  and  assimilate  the  principles  and  sentiments  of  the  people, 
and  thereby  "contribute  no  less  to  strengthen  the  foundations  than  to 
adorn  the  structures  of  our  free  and  happy  system  of  government."    And 


1876]  INDIANA,  1850—1900.  55 

the  people  of  this  State,  having  by  the  Constitution,  approved  the  principle 
that  it  is  the  duty  of  the  State  to  educate  all  her  children,  and  having  thus 
made  it  an  essential  feature  of  our  system  of  State  government,  we  shall 
regard  all  opponents  of  our  common  schools  as  assailing  a  fundamental 
principle  of  free  government,  and  shall  not  falter  in  our  support  of  them 
until  every  child  in  the  State  has  been  furnished  with  a  common  school 
education  and  shall  be  taught  in  the  fundamental  principles  of  free  pop- 
ular government;  and  we  shall  demand  a  faithful  administration  of  the 
school  law  and  the  strictest  economy  in  the  disposition  and  expenditure  of 
the  funds,  which  should  remain  undivided,  so  that  instead  of  the  public 
schools  being  conducted  with  a  view  to  prepare  students  for  college  and 
professions,  they  may  continue  what  they  were  designed  to  be,  the  schools 
of  the  people. 

XVIII.  Inasmuch  as  all  republican  governments  depend  for  their  sta- 
bility and  perpetuity  on  the  intelligence  and  virtue  of  the  people,  it  is  the 
right  and  duty  of  the  State  and  National  administrations  to  foster  and 
secure  the  highest  moral  and  intellectual  development  of  the  people;  and 
no  laws  should  be  enacted  that  are  despotic  in  character,  or  disregard  the 
wishes  of  the  majority. 

XIX.  We  have  not  forgotten,  and  shall  not  forget,  the  services  ren- 
dered to  the  cause  of  the  Union  by  our  gallant  soldiers  and  seamen  during 
the  war  of  the  rebellion— how  firmly  they  stood  amid  the  leaden  hail  of 
battle,  how  patiently  and  heroically  they  endured  the  hardships  of  camp 
and  field,  and  what  terrible  afflictions  some  of  them  suffered  as  prisoners 
of  war.    The  honor  of  the  Nation  is  pledged  to  provide  bounties  and  pen- 
sions for  them,  and  to  take  care  of  the  widows  and  orphans  of  those  who 
have  lost  their  lives  in  defense  of  the  government,   and  upon  this  we 
shall  earnestly  and  constantly  insist. 

XX.  The    administration    of    General    Grant    commands    our   fullest 
confidence  and  approbation— our  respect  for  him  as  a  man  of  unspotted 
honor— and  as  a  statesman  of  wisdom  and  prudence  and  our  admiration 
of  his  high  qualities  as  a  soldier  remain  unabated,  and  we  especially 
commend  him  for  the  example  he  will  leave  to  his  successors  of  removing 
from  office  those  of  his  own  appointment  whe'n  he  has  found  them  to  be 
unfaithful,  and  of  causing  those  who  have  proved  dishonest  to  be  prose- 
cuted that  "no  guilty  man  shall  escape." 

XXI.  In  our  opinion  the  Hon.  Oliver  P.  Morton  possesses  in  an  emi- 
nent degree  the  ability  and  qualities  that  fit  him  for  the  office  of  President 
of  the  United  States.    During  his  service  as  Governor  of  this  State,  when 
the  Union  was  in  the  utmost  peril,  he  displayed  executive  abilities  of 
the  very  highest  order,  and  his  Senatorial  career  has  been  distinguished 
by  such  statesmanlike  wisdom  as  to  win  the  approbation  of  the  whole 
country.    We  know  his  faithfulness  to  every  public  trust,  his  earnest  devo- 
tion to  the  cause  of  the  Union,  his  unflinching  advocacy  of  the  rights  of 
the  oppressed,  and  therefore  present  his  name  to  the  National  Republican 
Convention  for  nomination  for  the  office  of  President. 


56  POLITICAL  PLATFORMS.  [1878 


THE  DEMOCRATIC  PLATFORM,  J878. 

(The  Indianapolis  Sentinel,  June  20.) 

That  national  bank  notes  shall  be  retired,  and  in  lieu  thereof  there  shall 
be  issued  by  the  government  an  equal  amount  of  treasury  notes  with  full 
legal  tender  quality. 

That  we  are  in  favor  of  making  the  United  States  notes,  commonly 
called  greenbacks,  a  full  legal  tender  in  payment  of  all  debts,  public  and 
private,  except  such  obligations  only  as  are  by  the  terms  of  the  original 
contracts  under  which  they  were  issued,  expressly  payable  in  coin. 

That  the  right  to  issue  paper  money  as  well  as  coin  is  the  exclusive 
prerogative  of  the  government,  and  such  money  should  be  issued  in  such 
amounts  as  the  sound  business  interests  of  the  country  may  from  time 
to  time  require. 

We  are  in  favor  of  such  legislation  by  congress  as  will  authorize  the 
taxation  by  the  States  of  the  United  States  notes  in  common  with  all 
other  money. 

That  we  deem  it  unwise  and  inexpedient  to  enact  any  further  legisla- 
tion for  the  funding  of  the  national  debt  abroad,  through  the  means  of 
home  syndicates  or  other  methods,  and  we  believe  the  true  policy  of  the 
.government  and  the  best  interests  of  the  people  would  be  subserved  by 
legislating  so  as  to  distribute  said  debt  among  our  people  at  home— afford- 
ing them  the  most  favorable  and  practical  opportunities  for  the  investment 
of  their  savings  in  the  funded  debt  of  the  United  States. 

That  we  are  in  favor  of  such  legislation  which  shall  fix  the  legal 
rate  of  interest  at  not  exceeding  six  per  centum  per  annum. 

We  demand  the  restoration  of  the  silver  dollar  of  4121/^  grains  to  the 
-coin  of  the  ceuntry,  and  with  full  legal  tender  quality  in  the  payment  of 
.all  debts,  both  public  and  private;  and  that  the  coinage  thereof  shall  be 
unlimited,  and  upon  the  same  terms  and  conditions  as  may  be  provided  for 
the  coinage  of  gold. 

That  we  are  in  faATor  of  the  immediate  and  unconditional  repeal  of  the 
resumption  act. 

We  are  in  favor  of  the  most  rigid  economy  in  public  expenditures,  and 
we  declare  that  the  fees  and  salaries  of  all  public  officers  should  be  re- 
duced. 

That  we  are  in  favor  of  the  repeal  of  the  bankrupt  act. 

That  we  sincerely  deplore  the  recent  violent  collision  between  labor 
and  capital,  and  to  prevent  the  recurrence  thereof  and  to  protect  the 
future  public  order  and  security  we  believe  the  wages  of  corporations 
engaged  in  the  business  of  mining,  manufacturing  and  transportation 
should  be  a  first  lien  upon  the  property,  receipts  and  earnings  of  said  cor- 
porations, and  that  such  lien  should  be  declared,  defined  and  enforced  by 
appropriate  legislation. 

That  we  favor  the  passage  of  a  law  for  the  ventilation  of  coal  mines- 
one  that  would  be  just  to  the  miner  and  owner. 

The  democratic  party  is  the  friend  of  the  common  school  system,  and 
will  in  every  legitimate  way  labor  for  its  success,  and  will  oppose  any  at- 
tempt to  divert  any  portion  of  the  common  school  fund  to  any  sectarian 
purpose. 


1878]  INDIANA,  1850—1900.  57 

That  the  last  apportionment  of  the  state  for  legislative  purposes  was 
grossly  unjust  and  dishonorable,  and  we  demand  that  the  next  legisla- 
ture, in  apportioning  the  state  for  legislative  purposes,  as  will  be  their 
imperative  duty,  shall  have  regard  alone  to  population  and  contiguity  of 
territory. 

That  the  jurisdiction  claimed  and  exercised  by  the  circuit  courts  of  the 
United  States  over  questions  of  corporate  and  individual  rights,  arising 
under  the  laws  of  the  states,  tends  to  oppress  and  burden  litigants  to  such 
an  extent  ns  to  amount  to  a  practical  denial  of  justice  in  many  cases; 
and  we  consider  the  legislation  which  has  conferred  such  jurisdiction  as 
unwise  and  hurtful  to  the  true  interests  of  the  people.  And  we  demand 
such  legislation  as  will  restrict  and  limit  the  jurisdiction  of  such  courts 
to  such  matters  as  are  clearly  contemplated  by  the  constitution  and  ex- 
pressed in  the  judiciary  act  of  1789. 

We  are  opposed  to  class  legislation,  and  protest  against  the  grant  of 
subsidies  by  the  federal  government,  either  in  lands,  bonds,  money  or  by 
the  pledge  of  the  public  credit. 

That  we  abhor  and  hold  up  to  public  detestation  the  leaders  in  the 
republican  party  who  secretly  connived,  and  with  barefaced  effrontery 
carried  out  the  scheme,  by  and  through  venal  returning  boards,  whereby 
Samuel  ,T.  Tilden  and  Thomas  A.  Hendricks,  the  people's  choice  for  presi- 
dent and  vice-president,  were  wrongfully  kept  out  of  the  positions  to 
which  a  free  people  had  called  them.  We  hold  it  up  as  the  monster  crime 
of  the  age,  a  crime  against  free  government,  a  crime  against  the  elective 
franchise,  and  a  crime  that  can  only  be  condoned  when  the  malefactors 
who  seated  a  fraud  in  the  presidential  chair  are  driven  from  power  and 
consigned  to  everlasting  infamy  by  the  people  whom  they  have  outraged. 
And  we  denounce  the  act  of  the  President  of  the  United  States  in  appoint- 
ing to  high  and  lucrative  positions  the  corrupt  members  of  the  returning 
boards,  and  condemn  the  acts  of  federal  officers  in  attempting  to  interfere 
with  the  rights  and  powers  of  the  state  courts  in  the  prosecution  of  these 
criminals. 

That  our  senators  and  representatives  in  congress  be  and  are  hereby 
requested  to  secure  passage  of  a  law  giving  to  the  soldiers  of  the  Mexican 
war  a  pension  similar  to  that  now  given  to  the  soldiers  of  the  war  of 
1812. 


58  POLITICAL  PLATFORMS.  [1878 


THE  REPUBLICAN  PLATFORM,  1878. 

(The  Indianapolis  Journal,  June  6.) 

The  Republicans  of  Indiana,  in  convention  assembled,  make  the  follow- 
ing declaration  of  principles: 

The  maintenance  of  the  great  principles  of  the  republican  party  as 
essential  to  peace,  permanency  and  prosperity  of  the  nation.  The  right  of 
the  people  to  meet  together  and  discuss  their  grievances,  to  be  jealously 
guarded  and  maintained;  but  determined  opposition  to  lawlessness,  or  to 
any  resort  to  force  and  violence,  as  subversive  of  the  public  peace,  in- 
jurious to  public  morals,  and  destructive  of  the  rights  and  interests  of  all 
classes.  Equal  rights  before  the  law  and  equal  protection  under  the 
law,  without  regard  to  race,  creed,  condition  or  occupation.  No  exclusive 
privileges  to  individuals  or  classes.  Opposition  to  all  subsidies,  national, 
state,  county  or  municipal.  The  common  school  system  to  be  cher- 
ished and  perfected,  and  to  that  end  the  school  fund  should  not  be  di- 
verted to  sectarian  purposes.  Rigid  economy  in  all  expenditures,  national, 
state,  county  and  municipal.  A  just  limitation  upon  taxes  for  state, 
county,  township,  and  municipal  purposes.  Opposition  to  any  increase  of 
municipal  indebtedness.  Strict  accountability  upon  the  part  of  all  public 
officers.  The  just  reduction  and  equalization  of  all  fees  and  salaries. 
Such  legislation  as  will  secure  to  all  persons  laboring  for  and  furnishing 
supplies  to  railroad  and  other  corporations  full  payment  for  their  labor 
and  material.  An  increased  exemption  of  property  from  execution,  and 
a  liberal  homestead  law.  Such  legislation  as  will  protect  the  life  and 
secure  the  comfort  of  miners  and  laborers  engaged  in  hazardous  occupa- 
tions. A  constitutional  amendment  providing  for  strict  registration  and 
election  lawTs.  Full  commendation  of  and  sympathy  with  all  efforts  for 
personal  reformation.  American  industries  to  be  encouraged  and  fostered 
by  such  legislation  as  will  develop  the  material  resources  of  the  country 
and  give  full  measure  of  employment  and  reward  for  labor.  Opposition 
to  repudiation  in  all  its  forms;  the  honor  and  credit  of  the  nation  to  be 
maintained  in  every  contingency.  No  abandonment  or  appreciation  of 
the  greenback  currency.  A  sound  and  stable  currency  of  gold,  silver,  and 
paper  of  the  same  value.  National  legislation  authorizing  the  receipt  of 
greenbacks  at  par  in  payment  of  customs  and  in  purchase  of  government 
bonds.  Opposition  to  further  financial  agitation,  stability  in  our  financial 
systems  being  essential*  to  business  prosperity.  Union  soldiers  are  entitled 
to  all  honor,  and  their  displacement  and  the  substitution  of  rebel  soldiers 
as  employes  by  the  National  House  of  Representatives  should  be  con- 
demned by  every  patriotic  citizen.  Opposition  to  the  payment  of  Southern 
claims  arising  out  of  the  rebellion. 

We  denounce  the  democrats  of  the  House  of  Representatives  for  their 
lawless  action  in  unseating  republican  representatives  fairly  and  legally 
elected,  and  in  giving  their  places  to  partisans,  regardless  of  the  right  of 
election  by  the  people. 

We  denounce  the  action  of  the  Democratic  House  of  Representatives 
in  demanding  payment  of  over  two  hundred  million  dollars  of  rebel  claims 
as  a  conspiracy  against  the  government  less  open  but  not  less  dangerous 
than  armed  rebellion. 


1878]  INDIANA,  1850—1900.  59 

The  leaders  of  the  democratic  party  are  seeking  to  make  it  a  revolu- 
tionary party;  they  will  not  submit  to  the  repose  of  the  country,  or  leave 
the  people  to  their  peaceful  pursuits  so  long  as  they  have  hope  of  profit 
by  agitation;  and  no  law  or  public  measure  is  so  sacred  that  they  will  not 
violate  it  to  obtain  a  party  advantage.  The  cry  of  fraud  in  regard  to  the 
last  presidential  election  is  a  disguise  to  conceal  the  illegal  and  forcible 
means  by  which  voters  in  the  Southern  States  were  intimidated,  and  thou- 
sands in  all  the  states  were  sought  to  be  corrupted;  and  the  unblushing 
manner  in  which  the  leaders  of  the  democratic  party  undertook  to  buy  the 
votes  of  presidential  electors  with  money  proves  them  unworthy  the  public 
confidence. 

The  denial  of  the  title  of  President  Hayes  is  an  act  of  party  despera- 
tion, and  the  attempt  to  oust  him  from  office  is  revolutionary  resistance  to 
law,  and  if  it  is  not  condemned  by  the  people  it  will  furnish  a  precedent 
by  which  any  defeated  party  may  issue  its  declaration  in  opposition  to 
law,  rally  its  supporters  to  acts  of  violence,  plunge  the  country  into 
anarchy,  and  thus  Mexicanize  and  destroy  our  institutions. 

The  electoral  commission  wras  constitutionally  created  by  the  act  and 
consent  of  the  democratic  party  in  Congress;  and  its  decision  subsequently 
confirmed  by  Congress,  was  final  and  conclusive  upon  every  department  of 
this  government.  There  can  be  no  appeal  from  it  except  by  revolution; 
its  decision  makes  the  title  of  President  Hayes  equal  to  that  of  any  former 
president;  and  wre  recognize  in  his  personal  integrity,  as  well  as  the  general 
course  of  his  administration,  the  guarantee  that  he  will  conduct  the  gov- 
ernment so  as  to  preserve  the  honor  and  promote  the  happiness  of  the 
whole  country. 

We  solemnly  pledge  ourselves  to  support  and  maintain  President 
Hayes  and  the  lawfully  constituted  authorities  of  the  government  in  resist- 
ing revolution. 

At  this,  the  first  opportunity  presented  the  republicans  of  Indiana  In 
this  capacity,  we  desire  to  place  on  the  permanent  records  of  the  party 
a  tribute  of  our  high  appreciation  of  the  character  and  services  of  Oliver 
P.  Morton.  What  he  has  done  for  his  country  and  state  is  now  history. 
We  can  never  forget  his  intrepid  leadership  and  his  unselfish  devotion  to 
the  public  weal. 

The  people  of  Indiana  must  ever  regard  and  cherish  the  memory  of 
him  whose  name  and  fame  are  now  the  common  heritage  of  the  nation. 


60  POLITICAL  PLATFORMS.  [1880 


THE  DEMOCRATIC  PLATFORM,  J880. 

(The  Indianapolis  Sentinel,  June  10.) 

We,  the  democracy  of  Indiana,  in  Delegate  Convention  assembled, 
congratulate  the  democracy  of  the  country  upon  the  harmony  prevailing 
within  its  organization,  and  upon  its  unanimity  in  the  purposes  to  cast 
behind  it  every  occasion  and  sentiment  of  discord,  and  to  stand  as  one  man 
for  success  in  1880;  and  we  give  assurance  to  the  democracy  of  the  coun- 
try that,  accepting  the  declaration  of  principles  and  purposes,  that  may  be 
made  at  Cincinnati,  and  the  candidates  who  may  be  there  chosen,  we  will 
give  to  them  our  earnest  and  undivided  support. 

2.  We  believe  that  laws  should  be  enacted,  executed  and  administered 
only  for  the  public  good,  and  all  class  legislation,  and  all  favoritism  in  the 
affairs  of  the  government,  should  be  defeated  and  made  odious;  that  taxes 
should  be  levied  justly,  and  the  most  rigid  economy  should  control  public 
expenditures;  that  the  elections  must  be  freed  from  the  control  of  the 
array,  and  of  partisan  officials,  in  that  they  shall  be  fair  and  honest  as 
they  once  were;  that  the  rightful  jurisdiction  of  the  State  Courts  must  be 
restored,  In  all  cases  where  it  has  been  usurped  by  the  federal  authority, 
so  that  justice  may  be  administered  cheaply  and  speedily. 

3.  The  coin  and  paper  money  of  the  country  should  be  of  uniform 
value,  and  readily  convertible,  and  should  have  as  great  purchasing  power 
as  the  money  of  other  first-class  commercial  countries  of  the  world,  and 
the  paper  money,  like  the  coin,  should  be  furnished  by  the  United  States, 
and  should  not  be  in  excess  of  such  quantity  as  will  be,  and  remain  always, 
at  par  with  coin. 

4.  Inasmuch  as  the  outstanding  treasury  notes  are  no  longer  neces- 
sary to  the  government  in  the  use  of  its  credit,  and  are  useful  only  as 
money,  they  should  be  made  subject  to  taxation,  the  same  as  other  money. 

As  taxpayers,  we  declare  our  gratification  at  the  action  of  the  demo- 
cratic members  of  Congress  in  reducing  public  expenditures,  and  in  cut- 
ting off  the  allowance  and  payment  of  questionable  and  fraudulent  claims, 
resulting  in  a  saving  to  the  Treasury  of  more  than  $100,000,000. 

5.  We  will  stand  with  all  our  might  against  the  aggression  of  the  re- 
publican leaders  upon  the  rights  of  the  state,  made  for  the  purpose  of 
building  up  a  strong  central  power,  dangerous  to  the  liberty  of  the  people. 

We  will  in  all  fidelity  maintain  the  constitutional  rights  and  powers  of 
the  United  States,  and  as  faithfully  we  will  maintain  and  vindicate  the 
rights  of  the  States  as  reserved  to  them  in  the  Constitution. 

6.  The  legislature  of  1879  is  entitled  to  honorable  mention  for  having 
redeemed  the  pledges  of  the  Democratic  Convention  of  1876  to  provide  by 
law  for  the  comfort  and  safety  of  laborers  in  mines,  and  for  securing 
their  wages  to  the  persons  employed  by  corporations,  and  we  are  in  favor 
of  such  further  legislation  in  the  premises  as  may  be  necessary  and 
proper. 

We  congratulate  the  people  of  the  State  that  by  the  action  of  the  demo- 
crats of  the  last  legislature  in  basing  representation  upon  population  and 
contiguity  of  territory  only,  the  shame  and  taint  of  fraud  have  been  re- 
moved from  the  apportionment  of  representation,  and  that  now  the  people 
will  be  equally  and  fairly  represented. 


1880]  INDIANA,  1850—1900.  QI 

7.  The  people  of  Indiana  are  justly  proud  of  their  system  of  free 
schools,  and  will  maintain  them  in  their  full  force  and  usefulness,  and  to 
that  end  we  must  see  to  it  that  the  management  thereof  does  not  become 
wasteful    or    extravagant,    and    that    no    part    of    the    munificent    fund 
which  they  have  provided  shall  be  used  for  sectarian  or  for  any  other 
purposes  whatever  than  the  support  of  the  common  schools. 

8.  We  are  gratified  that  the  democrats  in  Congress  have  acted  in 
respect  to  bounties  and  pensions  for  soldiers  and  their  families  in  the 
spirit  of  justice  and  liberality. 

9.  We  hold  up  to  the  public  detestation  the  conduct  of  the  leaders  in 
the  republican  party  in  placing  Hayes  and  Wheeler,  by  criminal  practices 
shocking  to  every  honest  sentiment  and  damaging  to  our  institutions,  in 
offices  to  which  they  were  not  elected.    It  was  an  outrage  on  free  govern- 
ment, and  a  crime  against  the  elective  franchise  that  cannot  be  forgiven, 
and  must  not  be  repeated,  and  for  which  the  guilty  parties  must  be  driven 
from  power  and  consigned  to  infamy.    And  we  hold  up  to  public  detesta- 
tion the  conduct  of  the  President  in  rewarding  the  guilty  parties  by  con- 
ferring upon  them  high  and  lucrative  offices.     To  reward  crime  is  itself 
criminal. 

10.  During  the  past  few  years  our  country  has  been  blessed  in  a 
high  degree  with  favorable  seasons,  and  the  production  of  .our  valuable 
staples  has  been  enormously  in  excess  of  our  own  consumption.    We  have 
sold  to  foreign  countries  many  hundred  millions  more  than  we  have  pur- 
chased from  them;  gold  and  silver  has  come  to  us;  business  confidence 
has  been  restored,  and  we  have  the  hope  and  promise  of  good  times  again. 
In  all  this  we  recognize  the  blessing  of  God  upon  our  country,  and  we 
denounce  it  as  false  and  blasphemous  when  partisan  leaders  claim  that  this 
is  the  work  01'  their  hands,  and  that  the  people  should  be  thankful  to  them 
and  not  grateful  to  Heaven  for  our  returning  prosperity. 

11.  We  approve  the  sentiment  expressed  by  Governor  Hendricks  in 
his  letter  of  acceptance  in  1876,  that  "the  iniquitous  coolie  systems  which, 
through  the  agency  of  wealthy  companies  imports  Chinese  bondsmen,  es- 
tablishes a  species  of  slavery,  and  interferes  with  the  just  reward  of 
labor  on  our  Pacific  coast,  should  be  utterly  abolished." 

12.  Our  state  administration  is  entitled  to  the  respect  and  support  of 
the  people.    The  government  of  Indiana  is  efficiently  administered,  and 
more  cheaply  than  that  of  any  other  state. 

13.  That  we  recognize  the  right  of  colored  citizens  as  well  as  white 
to  immigrate  into  Indiana,  but  we  condemn  and  denounce  the  action  of 
the  republican  party  in  importing  into  this  state  pauper  negroes  for  the 
sole  purpose  of  using  them  as  voters. 

14.  We  hereby  instruct  our  delegates  to  the  national  convention  at 
Cincinnati  to  present  to  that  body  the  name  of  Thomas  A.  Hendricks  as  a 
candidate  for  President  of  the  United  States,  one  who  has  at  all  times 
faithfully  maintained  the  cause  of  democratic  truth  and  justice  acceptably 
to  the  democracy  of  the  whole  Union,  thus  assuring  the  election  of  a  demo- 
cratic legislature  and  United  States  Senator  in  1881,  and  a  fresh,  pure  and 
constitutional  administration  of  the  General  Government. 

15.  We  favor  the  continuance  of  the  two-thirds  rule  in  the  national 
convention,  and  the  delegates  this  day  chosen  are  hereby  instructed  to 
vote  for  Thomas  A.  Hendricks  as  our  candidate  for  the  Presidency,  and 
to  vote  as  a  unit  on  all  questions  in  said  convention. 


(52  POLITICAL  PLATFORMS.  [1880 


THE  REPUBLICAN  PLATFORM,  1880. 

(The  Indianapolis  Journal,  June  18.) 

The  republicans  of  Indiana,  in  convention  assembled,  reaffirm  the  truth 
of  the  declarations  made,  and  fully  indorse  the  resolutions  adopted  by  the 
national  convention  assembled  at  Chicago,  on  the  2nd  of  June,  1880. 

In  the  nominees  of  the  Chicago  convention  we  recognize  representative 
men  of  the  republican  party,  and  statesmen  who  may  well  be  intrusted 
with  the  administration  of  our  national  government,  and  we  heartily  com- 
mend them  to  the  support  of  the  people. 

Resolved,  That  as  an  inflexible  principle  of  personal  liberty,  we  main- 
tain the  right  of  locomotion,  including  the  right  of  foreigners  to  emigrate 
hither  and  become  American  citizens,  and  the  right  of  native-born  citizens 
to  migrate  from  one  state  to  another  without  vexatious  investigation  as 
to  their  motive  for  so  doing. 

Resolved,  That  we  favor  such  state  legislation  as  will  protect  the  peo- 
ple from  imposition  by  the  dishonest  procurement  of  promissory  notes 
payable  in  bank,  without,  however,  impairing  the  validity  of  commercial 
credits. 

Resolved,  That  we  congratulate  the  people  of  Indiana  upon  the  adop- 
tion of  the  constitutional  amendments  recently  submitted,  under  which, 
by  wise  legislation,  the  purity  of  the  ballot-box  may  be  secured,  increased 
economy  in  the  government  attained,  the  speedy  administration  of  justice 
provided  for,  and  extravagant  municipal  taxation  prevented.  And  we 
point  to  the  open  hostility  of  the  leaders  of  the  Democratic  party  to  these 
salutary  provisions  as  evidence  of  the  insincerity  of  their  professions, 
their  unfaithfulness  to  the  public  welfare,  and  their  unfitness  to  administer 
the  State  government— recognizing  at  the  same  time,  the  patriotism  and 
independence  of  the  large  mass  of  the  democratic  party  who  gave  those 
amendments  their  support. 

Resolved,  That  we  reaffirm  our  devotion  to  the  system  of  free,  common, 
unsectarian  schools  as  the  source  of  popular  intelligence,,  and  indispensable 
to  the  perpetuity  of  free  government. 

Resolved,  That  the  gratitude  of  the  country  to  the  brave  men  who 
periled  their  lives  for  the  preservation  of  the  Union  is  a  perpetual  debt 
which  must  never  be  forgotten,  and  the  duty  of  congress  to  embody  this 
sentiment  in  the  form  of  laws  for  their  substantial  benefit  is  imperative. 

Resolved,  That  we  favor  all  proper  measures  tending  to  develop  the 
great  agricultural  and  mineral  resources  of  our  State,  and  especially  such 
wise  and  wholesome  laws  as  will  insure  the  comfort  and  safety  of  those 
en.uiiged  in  the  dangerous  work  of  mining;  and  recognizing  existing  de- 
fects in  our  laws,  we  favor  such  further  legislation  as  will  secure  to 
all  laborers  a  speedy  and  effectual  enforcement  of  their  rights  as  against 
all  corporations  and  individuals. 

Resolved,  That  all  laws  on  the  subject  of  fees  and  salaries  shall  be 
made  so  as  to  afford  justice  to  the  citizen  and  a  fair  compensation  to  the 
officer. 


1882]  INDIANA,  1850—1900. 


THE  DEMOCRATIC  PLATFORM,  J882. 

(The  Indianapolis  Sentinel,  August  3.) 

The  democratic  party  of  Indiana,  in  convention  assembled,  renews 
its  pledge  of  fidelity  to  the  doctrines  and  traditions  of  the  party  as  illus- 
trated by  the  teachings  of  Thomas  Jefferson,  its  founder,  and  exemplified 
in  the  administration  of  the  government  under  democratic  rule.  And  we 
insist  upon  an  honest  and  economical  administration  on  the  principles  on 
which  it  rests.  Conceding  to  the  federal  government  its  just  rights  and 
full  powers  as  delegated  in  the  federal  constitution,  and  claiming  for  the 
states  and  the  people  respectively  the  powers  therein  reserved  to  them. 

We  arraign  the  republican  party  at  the  bar  of  public  opinion  for  its 
long  and  continued  course  of  usurpation  and  misrule.  It  has  disregarded 
the  rights  of  the  people  and  the  States.  It.  has  held  on  to  its  ill 
gotten  power  in  defiance  of  the  popular  will,  by  the  corrupt  use  of 
money  in  the  elections,  and  it  has  corrupted  the  public  morals  by  elevating 
to  high  places  men  who  are  known  to  be  dishonest. 

We  condemn  the  republican  party  for  enacting  and  enforcing  laws 
designed  to  place  the  elections  under  Federal  control,  in  violation  of  the 
rights  of  the  state. 

We  condemn  it  for  the  fraud  and  perjuries  of  1876,  by  which  the  will 
of  the  people  was  set  aside  and  a  usurper  placed  in  the  Presidential  office 
for  four  years. 

We  condemn  it  for  having  kept  up  and  maintained  in  time  of  peace  an 
onerous  and  unjust  system  of  taxation,  by  means  of  which  large  sums  of 
money  have  accumulated  in  the  Treasury,  which  ought  to  have  been  left 
in  the  pockets  of  the  people;  and  we  condemn  it  for  its  wasteful  extrava- 
gance in  the  expenditure  of  public  money. 

We  condemn  it  for  its  shameless  disregard  of  its  pledges  in  favor  of 
"civil  service  reform"  and  its  corrupt  use  of  the  public  patronage  under 
the  "spoils  system." 

We  condemn  it  for  its  systematic  levy  of  black-mail  upon  the  clerks 
and  minor  officeholders  of  the  United  States,  in  violation  of  law,  to  raise  a 
fund  for  the  corruption  of  the  ballot-box;  and  we  call  especially  upon  the 
voters  of  Indiana  to  vindicate  their  honor  and  to  erase  the  stain  that  was 
placed  upon  them  by  the  "Dorseyites"  in  1880. 

We  demand  that  the  present  wasteful  and  unnecessary  expenditure 
of  the  public  money  shall  be  stopped,  and  that  the  surplus  revenue  shall 
be  faithfully  applied  to  the  payment  of  the  national  debt. 

We  demand  that  Federal  taxes  be  reduced  to  the  lowest  point  con- 
sistent with  the  wants  of  the  government  under  an  honest  and  economical 
administration  of  its  affairs,  and  that  such  taxes  be  so  adjusted  as  to 
secure  an  equitable  distribution  of  the  burdens. 

We  demand  that  there  shall  be  such  reforms  in  the  civil  service  as 
will  again  result  in  the  employment  in  the  public  service  of  those  only  who 
are  honest  and  capable,  and  that  no  assessments  or  exactions  of  any  kind 
shall,  be  required  of  them  for  political  purposes. 

We  demand  protection  to  our  citizens,  native  and  adopted,  at  home  and 
abroad,  and  we  denounce  and  condemn  the  present  republican  administra- 


64  POLITICAL  PLATFORMS.  [1882 

tion  for  its  neglect  of  duty  toward  those  lately  imprisoned  as  "suspects" 
in  the  Jails  of  Ireland  by  the  arbitrary  action  of  the  British  authorities. 

We  demand  a  revision  of  the  present  unjust  tariff.  The  Constitution 
of  the  United  States  confers  upon  Congress  the  power  to  establish  a  tariff 
for  revenue,  and  as  a  just  and  proper  exercise  of  that  power,  we  favor 
such  an  adjustment  of  its  provisions,  within  the  revenue  standard,  as  will 
promote  the  industries  of  the  country  and  the  interests  of  labor,  without 
creating  monopolies. 

The  democratic  party  is  now,  as  it  has  always  been,  opposed  to  all 
sumptuary  legislation,  and  it  is  especially  opposed  to  the  proposed  amend- 
ment to  the  Constitution  of  Indiana,  known  as  the  prohibitory  amendment, 
and  we  are  in  favor  of  the  submission  of  said  proposed  amendment,  as 
well  as  other  proposed  amendments,  to  the  people,  according  to  the  pro- 
visions of  the  Constitution  for  its  own  amendment,  and  the  people  have 
the  right  to  oppose  or  favor  the  adoption  of  any  or  all  the  amendments  at 
all  stages  of  their  consideration,  and  any  submission  of  Constitutional 
amendments  to  a  vote  of  the  people  should  be  at  a  time  and  under  cir- 
cumstances mose  favorable  to  a  full  vote,  and  therefore  should  be  at  a 
general  election. 

That  we  freely  indorse  and  approve  the  laws  passed  pursuant  to  the 
demands  of  former  democratic  conventions  making  provision  for  the 
safety  and  protection  of  laborers  and  miners,  and  providing  for  the  collec- 
tion of  their  wages,  and  are  in  favor  of  all  other  enactments  to  that  end 
which  may  be  necessary  and  proper. 

The  free  schools  of  Indiana  are  the  glory  and  pride  of  the  State  and 
we  will  see  to  it  that  they  are  not  poisoned  by  the  breath  of  sectarianism, 
nor  destroyed  by  waste  and  extravagance  in  their  management. 

In  the  relations  between  capital  and  labor  we  favor  such  policies  as 
will  promote  harmony  between  them,  and  will  adequately  protect  the 
rights  and  interests  of  labor. 

We  esteem  Daniel  W.  Voorhees  as  an  able  and  faithful  representative 
of  our  State  in  the  Senate,  and  specially  commend  him  for  his  active 
sympathy  in  behalf  of  the  soldier. 


1SS2!  IXDIANA,  1850— WOO.  (35 


THE  REPUBLICAN  PLATFORM,  1882, 

(The  Indianapolis  Journal,  August  10.) 

The  republican  party  of  Indiana,  represented  in  delegate  convention, 
recalls,  as  an  incentive  to  further  exertions,  for  the  public  welfare,  the 
achievements  of  the  party  in  restoring  the  national  union;  in  overthrowing 
slavery;  in  securing  to  disabled  soldiers  and  to  the  widows  and  orphans 
of  those  who  fell  in  battle,  or  died  from  wounds  or  diseases  contracted  in 
the  service  of  the  Union,  laws  providing  for  liberal  bounties  and  pensions; 
in  building  up  an  unexampled  credit  upon  the  simple  foundation  of  an 
unchangeable  public  faith;  in  reducing  the  great  debt  necessarily  in- 
curred for  the  suppression  of  the  rebellion  one-half,  and  the  interest  on  the 
remainder  to  so  IOAV  a  rate  that  the  national  debt  is  no  longer  regarded  as 
a  burden:  in  establishing  a  currency  equal  to  any  in  the  world,  based  upon 
the  convertibility  of  greenbacks,  and  the  national  bank  notes  into  gold 
and  silver  at  the  option  of  the  holders;  in  increasing  the  value  of  agri- 
cultural productions  and  the  wages  of  labor,  by  building  up  home  markets, 
on  the  policy  of  reasonable  protection  to  domestic  industries;  in  exalting 
the  value  of  our  naturalization  laws  to  our  foreign-born  fellow-citizens, 
by  securing  to  American  naturalization  everywhere  the  full  rights  of  Amer- 
ican citizenship;  in  founding  American  citizenship  upon  manhood,  and  not 
on  complexion,  and  in  declaring  that  citizenship  and  the  ballot  shall 
ever  go  liand-in-liand;  in  maintaining  and  cherishing  as  a  chief  safeguard 
of  liberty  our  system  of  free  schools,  supported  by  a  tax  imposed  upon 
all  property  for  the  education  of  all  children;  and  in  the  submission,  from 
time  to  time,  in  the  respectful  obedience  to  what  has  been  deemed  the 
popular  will,  of  amendments  to  the  national  constitution,  and  the  consti- 
tution of  the  State,  Animated  by  these  recollections,  it  is  resolved— 

1.  That  reposing  trust  in  the  people  as  the  fountain  of  power,  we  de- 
mand that  the  pending  amendments  to  the  Constitution  shall  be  agreed 
to  and  submitted  by  the  next  legislature  to  the  voters  of  the  State  for  their 
decision  thereon.     These  amendments  were  not  partisan  in  their  origin, 
and  are  not  so  in  character,  and  should  not  be  made  so  in  voting  upon 
them.     Recognizing  the  fact  that  the  people  are  divided  in  sentiment  in 
regard  to  the  propriety  of  their  adoption  ov  rejection,  and  cherishing  the 
right  of  private  judgment,  we  favor  the  submission  of  these  amendments 
at  a  special  election,  so  that  there  may  be  an  intelligent  decision  thereon, 
uninfluenced  by  partisan  issues. 

2.  That  we  feel  it  due  to  the  memory  of  President  Garfield  to  express 
our  sense  of  the  great  loss  suffered  by  the  nation  in  his  death.    We  recall 
with  pride  the  fact  that,  springing  from  the  humblest  conditions  in  life,  Lin- 
coln and  Garfield  arose,  step  by  step,  without  any  help  but  the  force  of 
their  abilities  and  exertion,  to  the  front  rank  among  Americans,  and  were 
chosen  by  the  republican  party  to  bear  its  banner  in  its  struggles  to  main- 
tain the  supremacy  and  glory  of  the  national  Union. 

3.  That  lapse  of  time  can  not  efface  from  the  grateful  recollection  of 
the  republican  party  its  memory  of  the  brave  soldiers,  from  whatever 
section  or  party  ranks  they  may  have  come,  who  offered  their  lives  in  sup- 
port of  its  policy  of  restoring  and  maintaining  the  union  of  the  States. 

5— Platforms. 


QQ  I'OI.ITK'AL   I'LATFOKMX.  [1882 

4.  That  a  revenue  greatly  reduced  in  amount,  being  all  that  is  now 
needed  to  pay  the  interest  on  our  public  debt,  and  the  expenses  of  the 
government,  economically  administered,  the  time  has  arrived  for  such  a 
reduction  of  taxes  and  regulation  of  tariff  duties  as  shall  raise  no  more 
money  than  shall  be  necessary  to  pay  such  interest  and  expenses.     We 
therefore  approve  of  the  efforts  now  making  to  adjust  this  reduction,  so 
that  no  unnecessary  burdens  upon  the  consumers  of  imported  articles 
may  exist,  and  that  no  injury  be  inflicted  upon  our  domestic  industries, 
or  upon  the  industrial  classes  employed  therein. 

5.  That  we  are  gratified  to  observe  that  the  laws  for  the  protection  of 
miners  and  securing  their  wages,  under  the  constant  administration  of 
them  by  republican  mine  inspectors,  has  done  much  for  the  comfort  of 
the  workers  in  the  mines,  and  that  we  hope  to  see  important  suggestions 
of  the  present  inspector  for  amendments  farther  to  promote  their  comfort 
adopted  by  the  next  legislature. 

6.  That  the  relations  between  capital  and  labor  should  be  so  adjusted 
that  the  rights  of  laborers  shall  be  fully  protected. 

7.  That  the  fees  of  all  State  and  county  officers  should  be  so  regu- 
lated as  to  give  a  fair  compensation  to  them,  but  not  so  great  as  to  tempt 
applicants  to  corrupt  methods  to  obtain  the  same,  or  to  impose  unjust 
burdens  upon  the  people. 

8.  That  we  join  with  our  Irish  fellow-citizens  in  sincere  sympathy 
with  the  efforts  of  their  brethren  in  Ireland  to  break  up,  by  means  of  just 
legislation,  the  large  landed  estates  in  that  island,  and  to  introduce  upon 
these  lands,  for  the  general  good  of  the  people,  peasant-proprietorship. 
We  join  with  them  also,  in  the  hope  that  efforts  for  home  rule  in  all 
matters  of  local  concern  will  prove  successful. 

9.  That  it  is  the  duty  of  Congress  to  adopt  laws  to  secure  a  thorough, 
radical  and  complete  reform  of  the  civil  service,  by  which  the  subordinate 
positions  of  the  government  should  no  longer  be  considered  rewards  for 
their  party  zeal,  which  will  abolish  the  evils  of  patronage,  and  establish 
a  system  making  honesty,  efficiency  and  fidelity  the  essential  qualifica- 
tions for  public  position. 

10.  That  the  industry,  wisdom  and  firmness  of  President  Chester  A. 
Arthur  meets  the  cordial  indorsement  of  the  republicans  of  Indiana. 

11.  That  Senator  Benjamin  Harrison,  by  his  able  and  faithful  dis- 
charge of  duty,  and  on  account  of  his  eminent  abilities,  challenges  our 
admiration  and  confidence. 

12.  That  Governor  Albert  G.  Porter  is  a  wise  and  honest  executive 
officer,  and  we  congratulate  the  State  upon  securing  the  services  of  so 
faithful  a  public  servant. 

13.  Since  the  last  meeting  of  the  republican  convention  of  Indiana,  ex- 
Senator  Henry  S.  Lane,  one  of  the  gifted  and  ever  honored  founders  and 
trusted  leaders  of  the  republican  party,  has  departed  this  life,  and  left  a 
void  in  our  ranks  that  fills  us  with  sadness.     He  was  eloquent  for  the 
right,  always  moved  by  the  highest  impulses  of  patriotism,  and  his  mem- 
orv  is  enshrined  in  the  hearts  of  the  people  of  the  State. 


1884]  IXDIAyA.  18oO—1900. 


THE  DEMOCRATIC  PLATFORM,  J884. 

(The  Indianapolis  Sentinel,  June  26.) 

The  Democratic  party  of  Indiana,  in  convention  assembled,  renews  its 
pledges  of  fidelity  to  the  Constitution  and  to  the  doctrines  taught  by  the 
illustrious  men  who  were  its  founders  and  illustrated  in  their  administra- 
tions of  the  government,  and  insists  upon  an  honest  and  economical  admin- 
istration of  public  affairs,  Federal,  state  and  municipal.  It  will  resist  all 
efforts  to  deprive  the  Federal  Government  of  any  of  its  powers  as  dele- 
gated in  the  Constitution,  and  will  maintain  for  the  State  and  the  people, 
respectively  the  rights  and  powers  reserved  to  them  in  the  Constitution. 

It  condemns  the  corrupt  and  extravagant  expenditures  of  the  public 
money  that  have  prevailed  at  Washington  during  the  rule  of  the  repub- 
lican party. 

2.  To  the  end  that  such  expenditures  may  be  discontinued,  and  cruel 
burdens  removed  from  the  taxpayers,  we  insist  that  the  federal  taxes  be 
reduced  to  the  lowest  point  consistent  with  efficiency  in  the  public  service, 

and  we  demand  a  revision  and  reform  of  the  present  unjust  tariff.  The 
Constitution  of  the  United  States  which  is  the  only  source  of  taxing  power, 
confers  upon  Congress  the  right  to  establish  a  tariff  for  revenue,  and  as 
a  just  exercise  of  that  power  we  favor  such  an  adjustment  of  its  provis- 
ions, within  the  revenue  standard,  as  will  relieve,  as  far  as  possible,  the 
necessaries  of  life  from  the  burdens  of  taxation,  and  derive  the  principal 
amount  of  revenue1  for  the  support  of  government,  economically  admin- 
istered, from  luxuries;  and  such  tariff  should  be  adjusted  without  favor- 
itism, so  as  to  prevent  monopolies,  and  thus  in  effect  promote  labor  and 
the  interests  of  the  laboring  people  of  the  United  States.  We  insist  that 
the  surplus  revenue  shall  be  faithfully  applied  to  the  payment  of  the 
public  debt.  When  these  revenue  reforms  shall  have  been  accomplished 
the  people  may  hope  for  economical  and  honest  expenditures. 

3.  The  democratic  party  being  of  the  people  and  for  the  people,  favors 
such  legislation  as  will  guarantee  the  broadest  protection  to  the  interests 
and  welfare  of  the  industrial  masses;  it  recognizes  the  fact  that  labor  is 
the  producer  of  the   wealth   of   a  nation,   and  that   laws   should   be  so 
framed  as  to  encourage  and  promote  the  interest,  progress  and  prosperity 
of  each  and  every  branch  of  industry;  it  favors  the  enforcement  of  the 
national  eight-hour  law,  as  also  a  reduction  of  the  number  of  hours  in  a 
day's  labor  upon  all  public  work,  State  and  municipal;  it  favors  the  estab- 
lishment of  Bureaus  of  Labor  Statistics.  State  and  National;  it  favors,  as 
far  as  practical,  the  use  of  prison  and  reformatory  labor  so  as  not  to 
compete  with  the  labor  of  the  honest  citizen  on  the  outside;  it  favors  the 
enactment  of  such  laws  as  will  prohibit  the  employment  of  children  under 
fourteen  years  of  age  in  our  manufactories,  mines  and  work  shops;  it 
favors  the  passage  of  laws  for  the  payment  of  labor  performed  in  lawful 
currency,  instead  of  private  and  depreciated  script,  and  that  the  mechanic 
shall  be  secured,  by  a  first  lien  upon  work  done,  for  w^ages  thereon  per- 
formed.    We  demand  a  strict  enforcement  of  the  laws  against  Chinese 
immigration,  and  such  legislation  by  Congress  as  shall  effectually  prevent 
•the  importation  of  persons  under  the  passage-contract  system  who  are 


68  POLITICAL  PLATFORMS.  [1884 

brought  here  with  no  purpose  of  permanent  settlement  or  residence— a 
system  which  reduces  the  wages  and  deteriorates  the  character  of  our 
home  industries. 

4.  That  we  recognize  the  right  of  all  men  to  organize  for  social  or 
material  advancement;  the  right  of  wage-workers  to  use  all  lawful  means 
to  protect  themselves  against  the  encroachments  of  moneyed  monopolists, 
and  the  right  to  fix  a  price  for  their  labor  commensurate  with  the  work 
required  of  them,  and  we  hold  that  every  man  has  the  right  to  dispose 
of  his  own  labor  upon  such  terms  as  he  may  think  will  best  promote  his 
interests,  and  without  interference  by  any  other  person.     In  relations  be- 
tween capital  and  labor  the  democratic  party  favors  such  measures  and 
policies  as  will  promote  harmony  between  them,  and  will  adequately  pro- 
tect the  rights  and  interests  of  both. 

5.  We  deem  it  of  vital  importance  that  private  corporations  should  be 
prohibited  by  law  from  watering  their  corporation  stock. 

6.  Resolved,  That  it  is  the  duty  of  the  government  to  repossess  itself 
of  all  public  lands  heretofore  granted  for  the  benefit  of  corporations  which 
have  been  forfeited  by  non-compliance  with  the  conditions  of  the  grant, 
and  should  hold  the  same  for  the  use  and  benefit  of  the  people.     Laws 
should  be  passed  to  prevent  the  ownership  of  large  tracts  of  lands  by  cor- 
porations, or  by  persons  not  citizens  of  the  United  States,  or  who  have 
not  declared  their  intention  to  become  such  as  provided  by  law.    Congress 
should  discourage  the  purchase  of  public  land  in  large  bodies  by  any 
parties  for  speculative  purposes,  but  should  preserve  the  same,  as  far  as 
practicable,  for  actual  settlers,  and  to  that  end  all  subsidies  of  land,  as 
well  as  money,  to  corporations  and  speculators,  should  cease  forever. 

7.  The  democratic  party  is  the  friend  of  the  soldiers,  their  widows  and 
orphans.    We  are  in  favor  of  the  granting  of  pensions  to  all  soldiers  suffer- 
ing from  disability  incurred  during  service  in  the  army;  of  granting  pen- 
sions to  the  soldiers  of  the  Mexican  War;  of  equalizing  bounties  and  pen- 
sions to  soldiers  and  pensioners  without  limitation  as  to  time,  and  of  pro- 
viding for  the  widows  of  all  soldiers. 

8.  We  hold  it  to  be  the  duty  of  our  government  to  protect  in  every 
part  of  the  world  all  our  naturalized  citizens,  including  those  who  have 
declared  their  intention  to  become  such  according  to  our  laws    the  same 
as  we  would  our  native-born,  and  to  resist  all  improper  claims  upon  them 
by  governments  to  which  they  no  longer  owe  allegiance;  and  our  sympa- 
thies are  with  all  oppressed  people,  in  all  parts  of  the  world,  in  all  rightful 
and  proper  efforts  to  free  themselves  from  oppression,  and  establish  free 
institutions  based  upon  the  consent  of  the  governed. 

0.  The  democratic  party  demands  reforms  in  rhe  civil  service  that 
will  again  result  in  the  employment  of  those  only  who  are  honest  and 
capable,  and  that  honesty  and  capability  shall  again  be  made  a  condition 
of  public  employment. 

10.  The  free  schools  of  Indiana  are  the  pride  and  glory  of  the  State, 
And  the  democratic  party  will  see  to  it  that  they  are  not  poisoned  by  the 
breath  of  sectarianism,  or  destroyed  by  waste  and  extravagance  in  their 
management. 

11.  We  approve  of  the  action  of  the  late  democratic  legislature  in 
preventing  a  partisan  Governor  from  politically  revolutionizing  the  benevo- 
lent institutions  of  the  State,  which  he  had  already  commenced  by  the 


1884]  f\!>L\XA,  1850—1900.  (39 

nomination  of  his  party  friends  to  fill  the  vacancies  about  to  occur  in  the 
boards  of  directors  of  said  institutions. 

12.  We  also  approve  of  the  repeal  by  said  legislature  of  the  infamous 
law  passed  by  the  former  republican  legislature  for  the  settlement  of 
decedents'   estates,    under   which   law   estates   were  being  consumed   by 
court  costs,  and  we  declare  in  favor  of  all  fees  and  salaries  according  to 
the  necessities  of  the  times,  and  that  rigid  economy  shall  be  observed  in 
every  department  of  the  State  and  Federal  Government. 

13.  We  also  approve  of  the  passage  by  said  legislature,  of  the  Metro- 
politan Police  Bill,  whereby  a  riotous  partisan  police,  at  the  capital  of  the 
State,  whose  chief  business  was  to  labor  to  keep  the  republican  party  in 
power,  was  superceded  by  a  strictly  non-partisan  police  equally  divided  as 
to  politics  between  democrats  and  republicans,  and  who  are  required  by 
the  law  to  preserve  order  and  attend  to  regular  police  business,  and  for- 
bidden to  interfere  in  elections.     It  is  particularly  appropriate  that  the 
State  should  have  some  voice  in  choosing  the  police  of  its  own  capital, 
where  the  State  Treasury,  public  buildings,  and  archives  and  much  public 
property  are  situated,  and  where  its  principal  public  officers  reside,  or 
periodically  assemble,  and  about  the  greatest  nuisance  that  can  be  inflicted 
upon  a  city  is  a  mere  partisan  police  chosen  by  a  lot  of  ward  bummers 
and  low  grade  politicians  and  adventurers.     We  favor  all  measures  that 
will  elevate  and  purify  municipal  governments  and  make  them  protective 
of  the  interests  of  the  whole  people  rather  than  of  the  party  which,  for 
the  time  being,  happens  to  be  in  power. 

14.  AVe  commend  the  act  of  the  last  democratic  legislature  in  refusing 
an  indirect  subsidy  to  the  contractors  upon  the  New  State  House,  and  it 
is  the  sense  of  the  democratic  party  of  Indiana  that  no  subsidy  either 
direct  or  indirect,  shall  be  hereafter  voted  to  contractors  on  said  building. 

15.  Resolved,  That  we  are  opposed  to  calling  a  convention  to  alter 
and  amend  the  constitution  of  this  State.     Such  a  convention  would  be  a 
great  and  useless  expense,  and  would  result  in  unsettling  laws  and  systems 
now  well  established  and  understood,  and  which  could  not  be  as  well 
understood  under  a  new  constitution  for  a  quarter  of  a  century.     It  will 
be  wise  in  this  matter  to  let  well  enough  alone.     The  country  has  pros* 
pered  and  grown  great  under  the  present  Constitution  and  it  needs  no  tink- 
ering with  at  the  present  time,  especially  in  the  interest  of  any  party  seek- 
ing to  invade  the  rights  of  private  property  and  personal  liberty  now  se- 
cured by  the  Constitution.    And  any  amendments  that  may  become  neces- 
sary in  the  future  should  be  made  in  the  cheap,  simple  and  just  manner 
provided  in  the  Constitution  itself. 

16.  It  is  provided  by  the  Constitution  of  this  State  that  the  liberty  of 
the  people  should  be  protected  and  that  their  private  property  should  not 
be  taken  without  just  compensation,  and  we  are  opposed  to  any  change  in 
the  Constitution  tending  to  weaken  these  safeguards,  or  to  any  legislation 
which  asserts  the  power  to  take  or  destroy  the  private  property  of  any 
portion  of  the  people  of  this  State  without  compensation,  or  which  un- 
justly interferes  with  their  personal  liberty  as  to  what  they  shall  eat  or 
drink,  or  as  to  the  kind  of  clothing  they  shall  wear,  believing  that  the 
government  should  be  administered  in  that  way  best  calculated  to  confer 
the  greatest  good  upon  the  greatest  number,  without  sacrificing  the  rights 
of  the  person  or  of  property,  and  leaving  the  innocent  creeds,   habits, 


70  POLITICAL  PLATFORMS.  [1884 

customs  and  business  of  the  people  unfettered  by  sumptuary  laws,  class 
legislation,  or  extortionate  monopolies.  While  standing  faithfully  by  the 
rights  of  property  and  personal  liberty  guaranteed  to  the  people  by  the 
Constitution,  we  distinctly  declare  that  we  are  in  favor  of  sobriety  and 
temperance,  and  all  proper  means  for  the  promotion  of  these  virtues,  but 
we  believe  that  a  well  regulated  license  system,  and  reasonable  and  just 
laws  upon  the  subject,  faithfully  enforced,  would  be  better  than  extreme 
measures  which  being  subversive  of  personal  liberty  and  in  conflict  with 
public  sentiment,  would  never  be  effectively  executed,  thus  bringing  law 
into  disrepute  and  tending  to  make  sneaks  and  hypocrites  of  our  people; 
Therefore  we  are  opposed  to  any  Constitutional  amendment  relating  to  the 
subject  of  the  manufacture  and  sale  of  intoxicating  and  malt  liquors. 

17.  Believing  that  the  elections  should  be  controlled  by  the  people 
under  State  laws,  and  that  the  stability  of  our  institutions  depend  upon 
fair  elections  and  an  honest  count  of  the  votes  cast  by  the  people,  the 
democratic  party  demands  a  repeal  of  the  laws  enacted  by  the  republican 
party  designed  to  place  the  elections  under  federal  control  in  violation  of 
the  rights  of  the  States,  and  that  it  will  hold  up  for  the  detestation  of 
the  people  the  supreme  fraud  of  1876-77  by  which  the  will  of  the  people 
was  set  aside  and  usurpers  were  placed  in  the  two  most  important  offices 
of  the  country. 

18.  The  republican  party  stands  arraigned  at  the  bar  of  public  opinion 
for  its  long  and  continued  course  of  usurpation  and  misrule.    It  has  disre- 
garded the  rights  of  the  people  and  of  the  States;  it  has  held  on  to  its  ill- 
gotten  poAver  in  defiance  of  the  popular  will  by  the  corrupt  use  of  money 
in  the  elections  (especially  in  Indiana  in  1880)  and  it  has  corrupted  public 
morals  by  elevating  to  high  places  men  who  are  known  to  be  dishonest, 
and  has  continued  during  a  period  of  peace  a  system  of  high  taxation  justi- 
fied only  by  a  condition  of  war  in  which  it  had  its  origin,  and  to  furnish  a 
pretext  for  its  continuance  has  favored  every  extravagant  appropriation 
of  the  public  money,  entailed  a  burden  on  the  people,  and  which  is  benefit 
only  to  those  who  share  in  the  plunder.     The  remedy  for  these  evils  is 
an  immediate  change  of  administration.     Let  taxation  be  reduced  to  the 
end  that  the  money  shall  remain  in  the  pockets  of  the  people  instead  of 
accumulating  in  the  Treasury  to  tempt  the  cupidity  of  the  venal  and 
corrupt. 

19.  The  continuance  of  the  same  party  or  set  of  men  in  power  con- 
secutively for  a  great  many  years  is  naturally  corrupting,  and  not  in  ac- 
cordance with  the  genius  of  our  republican  institutions.     The  long  con- 
tinuance of  the  republican  party  in  power,  now  nearly  the  quarter  of  a 
century,  has  led  to  Star-route  and  other  frauds  and  corruptions  frightful 
to  contemplate,  the  full  extent  of  which  will  never  be  known  until  the 
party  is  driven  from  power,  which  is  now  demanded  by  the  best  interests 
of  the  country;  and  we  favor  holding  all  public  officers  to  a  strict  accounta- 
bility, and  their  prompt  and  severe  punishment  for  all  thefts  of  public 
money  and  corrupt  mal-administration  of  office. 

20.  Resolved,  That  our  confidence  in,  and  esteem  for  Hon.  Daniel  W. 
Voorhees,  our  great  representative  in  the  United  States  Senate,  continues 
unabated,  and  we  cheerfully  greet  him,  and  his  democratic  associates  from 
Indiana  in  the  House  of  Representatives,  with  the  plaudit,  "well  done, 
good  and  faithful  public  servants." 


1884]  INDIANA,  1850—1900.  71 

21.  Resolved,  That  it  will  be  the  mission  of  the  democratic  party  to 
foster  and  build  up  the  great  business  and  material  interests  of  the  coun- 
try and  restore  the  government  to  the  purity  of  earlier  days.  To  success- 
fully accomplish  this  a  man  should  be  placed  in  the  presidential  chair  in 
whom  the  business  men  of  the  country,  and  the  whole  people  have  im- 
plicit confidence;  a  man  fully  endowed  with  all  the  qualities  desirable  in. 
the  head  of  the  great  American  Republic;  a  man  with  a  pure  and  spot- 
less personal  and  political  record,  and  always  sound  upon  all  the  great 
questions  of  the  times. 

We  know  Joseph  E.  McDonald  of  Indiana,  to  be  such  a  man. 

We  respectfully  present  his  name  to  the  people  of  the  United  States 
as  worthy  to  be  their  President,  and  we  hereby  instruct  the  delegates 
from  Indiana  to  the  Democratic  National  Convention  to  support  his 
nomination  for  that  high  office  as  a  unit,  and  to  use  all  honorable  means  to 
secure  his  nomination. 


THE  REPUBLICAN  PLATFORM,  1884. 

(The  Indianapolis  Journal,  June  20.) 

The  republicans  of  Indiana,  in  State  convention  assembled,  ratify  and 
adopt  the  platform  of  the  recent  national  republican  convention  at  Chicago 
as  a  comprehensive  and  sufficient  declaration  of  their  faith  and  purposes 
in  respect  to  all  questions  of  national  scope  and  character;  and  they  ratify 
and  approve  the  nomination  of  James  G.  Elaine  and  John  A.  Logan  for  the 
offices  of  President  and  Vice-President  of  the  United  States,  and  pledge 
to  them  the  earnest  and  united  support  of  the  republican  party  of  Indiana. 

"I.  We  endorse  with  pride  and  satisfaction  the  pure,  able,  dignified, 
and  patriotic  administration  of  Governor  Albert  G.  Porter. 

"II.  We  favor  an  appropriation  by  the  legislature  for  the  erection  of  a 
suitable  monument  to  the  memory  of  the  loyal  and  brave  sons  of  Indiana, 
who  gave  their  lives  to  save  the  republic. 

"III.  In  the  lapse  of  thirty-three  years,  by  the  increase  of  our  popu- 
lation, and  by  the  marvelous  development  of  our  material  resources  and 
the  spread  of  intelligence,  our  state  has  outgrown  the  Constitution  of  1851, 
and  we  therefore  favor  the  calling  of  a  convention  at  an  early  day,  for 
the  purpose  of  framing  a  new  State  Constitution,  adapted  to  the  present 
circumstances  of  a  great  and  growing  Commonwealth. 

"IV.  We  favor  such  change  in  the  law  as  shall  take  the  administra- 
tion of  the  prisons  and  the  reformatory  and  benevolent  institutions  of  the 
State  out  of  the  domain  of  party  politics. 

"V.  We  regard  the  system  of  prison  contract  labor  as  a  degrading 
competition  with  the  labor  of  the  honest  citizen,  and  we  favor  its  aboli- 
tion. 

"VI.  We  favor  the  enactment  and  enforcement  of  laws  for  the  im- 
provement of  the  sanitary  conditions  of  labor,  and  especially  for  the 
thorough  regulation  and  ventilation  of  mines,  under  the  supervision  of  the 
police  authority  of  the  State. 


72  POLITICAL  PLATFOlfMX.  [1886 

"VII.  We  renew  the  pledge  of  our  devotion  of  the  free,  unsectarian 
public  schools,  a,nd  will  favor  all  measures  tending  to  increase  its  effi- 
ciency, and  especially  such  as  will  promote  its  usefulness  as  a  prepara- 
tion for  the  practical  duties  of  life. 

"VIII.  The  amendment  of  the  Constitution  of  the  State,  which  author- 
ized and  contemplated  a  revision  of  the  laws  relating  to  fees  and  salaries 
ought  not  to  remain  a  dead  letter,  and  we  favor  the  enactment  of  such 
laws  as  will  place  the  compensation  of  all  public  officials  upon  a  basis 
of  fair  compensation  for  services  rendered. 

"IX.  Recognizing  with  gratitude  the  services  of  the  Union  soldiers 
in  defending  the  government  against  armed  rebellion,  we  favor  a  just 
equalization  and  adjustment  of  bounties  and  pensions,  and  a  liberal  con- 
struction and  application  of  all  laws  granting  pensions  to  honorably  dis- 
charged soldiers  of  the  Union  army. 

"X.  We  denounce  the  action  of  the  democratic  majority  in  the  last 
General  Assembly  in  enacting  laws  of  purely  partisan  character  whereby 
experienced,  competent,  and  efficient  officials  were  displaced,  and  mere 
politicians  appointed,  to  the  serious  injury  of  the  benevolent  institutions 
of  the  State,  including  those  for  the  deaf  and  dumb,  the  insane,  the  blind, 
the  Boys'  Reformatory,  and  the  Soldiers'  Orphan  Home;  and  in  the 
passage  of  a  metropolitan  police  bill,  by  'which,  in  cities  of  a  certain 
population,  the  control  of  municipal  affairs  is  taken  from  the  citizens  con- 
cerned and  placed  in  the  hands  of  a  partisan  state  commission. 


THE  DEMOCRATIC  PLATFORM,  1886. 

(The  Indianapolis  Sentinel,  August  12.) 

ResohTed,  That  the  democracy  of  Indiana,  in  convention  assembled, 
cordially  approves  the  administration  of  President  Cleveland,  for  its 
ability,  integrity  and  economy  in  the  management  of  national  affairs,  and 
recognize  in  the  President  and  members  of  his  cabinet  faithful  and  patri- 
otic servants. 

Resolved,  That  the  Democrats  of  Indiana  sincerely  lament  the  loss  of 
their  honored  and  trusted  leader,  the  late  Thomas  A.  Hendricks.  By  his 
wise  counsel  and  superb  leadership  the  democracy  of  Indiana  gained  and 
enjoyed  an  enviable  reputation  for  heroic  and  unselfish  devotion  to  the 
principles  of  just  government.  The  memory  of  our  latfe  beloved  leader 
can  not  be  better  perpetuated  than  by  a  steadfast  observance  of  his  con- 
ciliatory counsel  and  patriotic  teachings,  to  the  end  that  the  efforts  of  all 
true  democratic  citizens  may  be  directed  to  the  faithful  application  of 
those  grand  and  ennobling  principles  that  conduce  to  the  welfare  and 
happiness  of  a  liberty  loving  people. 

We  also  profoundly  deplore  that  during  a  brief  period  of  time,  the 
nation,  and  particularly  the  democratic  party,  has  suffered  the  loss  of 
four  other  eminent  citizens,  in  the  person  of  the  gallant  leader,  George  B. 
McClellan;  the  superb  hero,  Winfield  Scott  Hancock;  the  pure  and  wise 
statesman,  Horatio  Seymour;  and  more  recently  the  demise  of  that  dis- 
cerning statesman,  sagacious  counselor  and  profound  political  philoso- 


18SG]  IXDIAXA,  l^n—llinn.  73 

pher,  Samuel  J.  Tiki  en.  The  career  of  these  illustrious  men  may  well 
serve  as  examples  for  those  upon  whom  shall  devolve  the  responsibility 
of  leadership. 

Resolved,  that  taxation  of  the  people  for  other  purposes  than  raising 
revenue  for  the  expenses  of  the  government,  economically  administered, 
is  robbery  under  the  forms  of  law.  We  are,  therefore,  in  favor  of  a  reduc- 
tion of  the  present  unjust  tariff  to  a  revenue  basis,  and  we  hereby  reaffirm 
the  principles  laid  down  in  the  Chicago  platform  on  that  subject,  and 
heartily  indorse  the  action  of  the  democratic  representatives  in  Congress 
from  this  State  for  their  fidelity  to  the  cause  of  tariff  reform. 

Resolved,  That  the  action  of  the  Democratic  House  of  Representatives 
of  the  Forty-eighth  and  Forty-ninth  Congresses  in  declaring  forfeited  and 
reclaiming  from  railroad  corporations  about  one  hundred  millions  of  acres 
of  land  is  hereby  heartily  endorsed  and  approved. 

That  the  ownership  of  real  estate  in  this  country  by  persons  not  citi- 
zens of  the  United  States  is  injurious  to  true  American  interests  and  may 
be  attended  with  many  evil  consequences.  We  therefore  heartily  approve 
the  act  of  the  last  General  Assembly  in  prohibiting  the  ownership  of 
real  estate  in  Indiana  by  aliens,  and  thereby  repealing  the  act  allowing 
aliens  to  hold  and  convey  real  estate  passed  by  a  republican  legislature 
and  approved  by  a  republican  Governor.  And  we  specially  approve  of 
such  legislation  by  Congress  as  shall  effectually  protect  the  public  lands 
from  such  aliens'  entry  and  ownership,  so  that  the  same  may,  as  far  as 
possible,  be  reserved  for  our  own  citizens. 

That  the  financial  policy  in  which  the  gold  and  silver  coin  and  paper 
money,  readily  convertible  into  coin,  including  the  volume  of  United  States 
notes  now  provided  for  by  law,  shall  be  the  circulating  medium;  they  insist 
that  the  surplus  in  the  National  Treasury  shall  be  promptly  applied  in 
payment  of  the  National  public  debt,  and  that  taxation  shall  be  reduced 
to  the  end  that  large  accumulations  in  the  Treasury  beyond  the  proper 
necessities  of  the  public  service  shall  not  occur,  thus  assuming  honest  and 
economical  government,  and  relieving  the  people  from  unnecessary  and 
oppressive  taxation. 

Resolved,  That  the  State  Government  of  Indiana,  in  all  its  depart- 
ments, has  been  characterized  by  prudence,  economy  and  wisdom,  and  we 
cordially  endorse  the  same. 

Resolved,  That  the  democratic  party  of  Indiana  is  now,  as  it  has  al- 
ways been,  opposed  in  principle  to  all  sumptuary  laws  and  prohibitory 
legislation,  but  it  is  in  favor  of  just  and  proper  measures  for  regulating 
traffic  in  spirituous  and  intoxicating  liquors  under  a  license  system  de- 
signed to  repress  the  evils  of  intemperance,  and  it  favors  a  reasonable  in- 
crease of  the  license  tax,  discriminating  between  malt  liquor  and  wines 
and  distilled  spirits  so  as  to  place  the  highest  license  on  distilled  spirits. 
The  proceeds  of  such  tax  to  be  applied  to  the  support  of  the  Common 
Schools. 

Resolved,  further,  That  we  demand  the  abrogation  of  all  laws,  which 
do  not  bear  equally  upon  labor  and  capital;  the  passage  of  stringent  laws 
to  promote  the  health  and  enhance  the  safety  of  employes  of  railways, 
manufacturing  establishments  and  mining  operations,  and  to  compel  the 
employers  to  make  prompt  payment  of  wages  to  those  in  their  employ; 
the  enactment  of  laws  prohibiting  the  hiring  out  of  convict  labor  in  com- 


74  POLITICAL  PLATFORMS.  [1886 

petition  with  the  honest  laborers  of  the  country,  prohibiting  the  employ- 
ment of  children  under  fourteen  years  of  age  in  the  mines  and  factories 
of  the  State,  and,  finally,  that  the  importation  of  foreign  laborers  under 
contract  be  forever  prohibited  under  stringent  penal  statutes.  And  we 
especially  commend  and  approve  the  action  of  the  last  General  Assembly 
in  prohibiting  the  importation  of  foreigners  and  aliens  under  contract  to 
perform  labor  within  the  State  of  Indiana.  We  demand  such  further 
legislation  by  Congress  as  may  be  necessary  to  prevent  such  importation 
of  foreign  laborers  into  this  country,  and  we  declare  ourselves  in  favor 
of  the  strictest  enforcement  of  acts  prohibiting  Chinese  immigration — 
both  of  these  systems,  being  in  our  judgment,  hostile  and  destructive  of 
the  best  interests  of  the  American  laborer  and  mechanic. 

Resolved,  That  it  is  due  to  the  memory  of  the  brave  men  of  Indiana 
who  gave  their  lives  for  the  preservation  of  the  Government,  that  a  suit- 
able monument  should  be  erected  at  the  capital  of  the  State,  and  for  that 
purpose  we  ask  of  the  General  Assembly  of  the  State  a  liberal  appro- 
priation. 

Resolved,  That  we  are  in  favor  of  such  revision  of  the  law  as  will 
bring  about  a  just  and  equitable  valuation  of  the  property  of  the  State, 
in  order  that  no  county  shall  pay  more  than  its  just  proportion  of  the 
State  taxes. 

Resolved,  That  we  approve  the  joint  resolution  proposing  an  amend- 
ment to  the  Constitution  making  the  term  of  county  officers  four  years. 

Resolved,  That  the  democratic  party  is  interested  in  the  cause  of  lib- 
erty wherever  and  whenever  it  is  being  waged,  and  especially  do  we  feel 
a  profound  sympathy  with  Ireland,  and  her  friends  in  her  struggle  for 
Home  Rule,  and  we  confidently  predict  that  that  contest  which  has  but 
fairly  begun,  will  find  no  abatement  of  its  strength,  but  will  continue  to 
grow  until  she  achieves  that  position  and  power  to  which  she  is  entitled 
as  a  brave  and  generous  people. 

Resolved,  That  we  cordially  approve  the  recent  legislation  of  Congress 
giving  increased  pensions  to  the  widows  and  dependent  parents  of  deceased 
soldiers,  and  to  soldiers  who  were  disabled  in  the  Union  army  and  we 
cordially  approve  all  measures  of  legislation  in  behalf  of  the  soldiers  of 
the  Union  army  who  suffered  in  defense  of  their  country  and  of  their 
widows  and  orphans. 

Resolved,  That  in  the  enactment  of  all  laws  a  strict  regard  should  be 
had  for  the  rights  of  the  laboring  masses;  that  taxation  should  be  re- 
stricted to  the  lowest  amounts  required  by  an  economical  administration 
of  public  affairs;  that  wage-workers  should  be  protected  by  legislation 
from  the  oppressive  power  of  monopolies  and  corporations;  and  that  all 
laws  not  in  harmony  wTith  the  foregoing  purposes  should  be  repealed. 


1886]  INDIAXA,  1850—1900.  75 


THE  REPUBLICAN  PLATFORM,  J886. 

(The  Indianapolis  Journal,  September  3.) 

The  republicans  of  Indiana,  in  convention  assembled,  invoke  the  dis- 
passionate judgment  of  the  people  of  the  State  upon  the  acts  and  record 
of  the  democratic  party.  Succeeding  to  power  in  the  national  govern- 
ment by  virtue  of  unpardonable  crimes  against  free  suffrage,  it  has 
demonstrated  its  incapacity  and  insincerity  by  failure  to  redeem  its  pledges 
made  to  the  people.  Promising  economy  in  public  expenditures,  the 
appropriations  made  by  the  last  Congress,  and  approved  by  the  President, 
were  of  unparalleled  extravagance.  Its  attempts  to  legislate  on  tariff  and 
finance  served  only  to  weaken  public  confidence,  to  paralyze  industry, 
to  check  the  returning  tide  of  prosperity,  and  to  interfere  with  the  orderly 
and  regular  reduction  of  the  public  debt,  which  was  so  conspicuous  a 
feature  of  republican  administration.  Under  its  control  the  civil  service 
has  been  degraded  by  the  appointment,  not  only  of  unfit  persons,  but  of 
convicted  criminals  to  posts  of  responsibility  and  honor.  It  has  scandal- 
ized justice  and  decency  by  the  methods  inaugurated  by  the  postoffice 
and  other  departments  to  distribute  the  offices  to  party  workers,  while  it 
sought  to  placate  the  growing  sentiment  against  the  spoils  system  by 
false  pretenses.  The  federal  appointments  made  in  Indiana  are  a  fair 
sample  of  what  has  brought  the  cause  of  civil  service  reform  into  need- 
less disfavor  and  made  its  success  an  impossibility  under  democratic 
auspices.  The  attempt  of  the  democratic  House  of  Representatives  to 
make  odious  pension  legislation  by  adding  a  special  tax  bill  to  every 
pension  measure  (thus  declaring  that  pensions  should  not  be  paid  out  of 
the  general  treasury)  the  spirit  and  language  of  numerous  vetoes  of 
meritorious  pensions,  and  the  failure  of  the  Democratic  House  of  Repre- 
sentatives to  even  reconsider  them  before  adjournment  of  Congress,  reveal 
the  continued  enmity  of  the  democratic  party  to  the  Union  soldier  and  his 
cause. 

Since  its  advent  to  power  the  old  heresy  of  State  sovereignty  has  been 
rehabilitated.  In  the  Southern  States,  where  the  political  strength  of  the 
party  resides,  the  country  has  witnessed  the  resurrection  of  treason  and 
traitors,  the  flaunting  of  the  rebel  flag,  and  the  defiant  expression  of  senti- 
ments at  war  with  the  integrity  of  the  Union.  The  flag  of  the  United 
States  has  been  lowered  in  honor  of  a  man  who  gained  unique  infamy 
by  his  despicable  course  as  a  public  enemy;  the  services  and  memory  of 
men  held  in  reverence  by  loyal  people  have  been  attacked  in  Congress  by 
those  who  were  formerly  in  arms  against  the  government;  persons  have 
been  appointed  to  high  office  who  have  offensively  declared  the  national 
government  to  be  "bloody  usurpation  of  natural  rights;"  and  in  federal 
appointments  preference  has  been  given  to  those  who  were  most  conspicu- 
ous in  their  service  to  the  Southern  Confederacy.  Anxious  for  the  full 
and  complete  harmonizing  of  all  sections  of  the  Union  we  can  but  repro- 
bate those  evidences  of  hostility  to  the  principles  of  the  government. 
There  can  be  no  assurance  of  permanent  safety  and  security  until  all  peo- 
ple unitedly  honor  the  Union,  and  as  unitedly  deplore  the  differences, 
which,  in  past  years,  so  seriously  threatened  its  overthrow. 


(     UNIVERSITY 


76  POLITICAL  PLATFORMS.  [1880 

In  its  relations  with  foreign  governments  the  democratic  administra- 
tion has  conspicuously  failed  to  maintain  the  .honor  and  dignity  of  the 
nation,  and  to  protect  the  rights  of  American  citizens.  It  has  disfran- 
chised hundreds  of  thousands  of  voters  in  the  North,  by  its  failure  to 
discharge  an  imperious  moral  obligation,  imposed  by  the  Constitution, 
for  the  admission  of  Dakota  into  the  Union,  for  the  same  reason  that  led 
it  to  extinguish  republican  majorities  in  the  Southern  States  by  fraud 
and  violence. 

The  last  legislature  of  Indiana  was  democratic  in  both  branches  by 
a  majority  of  two-thirds.  It  passed  apportionment  bills,  disfranchising 
nearly  half  the  voters  in  the  State  in  legislative  and  congressional  elec- 
tions, thus  accomplishing  under  the  forms  of  law  what  it  has  accomplished 
elsewhere  by  the  tissue  ballot  and  the  shotgun. 

It  failed  to  redeem  its  pledges  to  the  laboring  classes  made  in  its 
last  platform,  promising  a  reduction  in  the  hours  of  labor  on  public  works, 
the  establishment  of  bureaus  of  labor  statistics,  the  use  of  prison  labor  so 
as  not  to  compete  \vith  free  and  honest  labor,  the  prohibition  of  the  em- 
ployment of  children  under  fourteen  years  of  age,  the  prohibition  of  the 
watering  of  corporate  stocks.  All  bills  which  were  even  introduced  to 
accomplish  any  of  these  things  were  defeated  by  democratic  vote. 

It  failed  to  pass  a  bill  to  restrain  the  manufacture  and  use  of  dyna- 
mite for  the  purpose  of  destroying  life  and  property. 

It  failed  to  amend  the  extravagant  fee  and  salary  bill;  it  defeated 
measures  introduced  by  republicans  to  limit  the  excessive  allowances  of 
county  officers;  it  refused  to  cut  dowrn  the  enormous  perquisites  of  the 
Reporter  of  the  Supreme  Court;  it  refused  to  provide  means  for  ascertain- 
ing and  recovering  from  the  clerk  of  that  court  sums  of  money  due  from 
him  and  wrongfully  withheld;  it  forced  upon  the  State  at  great  expense 
and  without  just  cause,  an  extra  session  of  the  General  Assembly;  and 
although  it  appropriated  four  and  one-half  millions  of  dollars,  it  crippled 
our  educational  institutions  by  insufficient  allowances  and  left  unpaid 
just  debts  of  the  State,  due  to  private  citizens,  by  refusing  to  pass  the 
specific  appropriation  bill. 

It  failed  to  provide  the  citizens  of  the  State  wTith  the  speedy  justice 
guaranteed  in  the  Constitution,  by  defeating  all  measures  for  the  relief 
of  the  overcrowded  condition  of  the  docket  of  the  Supreme  Court. 

It  failed  to  obey  the  imperative  mandate  of  the  Constitution  to  enact 
a  law  providing  for  the  registration  of  voters  in  the  interest  of  free  and 
fair  elections. 

It  failed  to  comply  with  the  just  demands  of  our  colored  citizens  for 
equal  rights,  and  a  bill  to  secure  such  rights,  introduced  by  a  representa- 
tive of  the  negro  race,  was  defeated  through  democratic  opposition. 

It  failed  to  honor  its  profession  favoring  civil  service  reform,  "so 
that  honesty  and  capability  might  be  made  the  condition  of  public  employ- 
ment." It  defeated  a  bill  for  this  reform  introduced  and  unanimously 
supported  by  republicans.  It  consigned  the  benevolent  institutions  to  cor- 
rupt and  partisan  boards;  it  surrendered  the  management  of  feeble- 
minded children,  and  the  orphans  of  our  Union  soldiers,  to  trustees  and 
care-takers,  by  whom  they  were  debauched,  outraged,  handcuffed,  confined 
in  dungeons,  and  maltreated  under  circumstances  of  unspeakable  bar- 
barity. 


1886] 

It  failed  to  investigate  the  acts  of  the  democratic  Treasurer  of  State, 
after  it  was  proved  and  admitted  that  large  sums  of  money  had  been  lost; 
that  he  had  used  the  moneys  of  the  State  and  received  interest  thereon,  in 
violation  of  the  criminal  statutes;  and,  notwithstanding  the  fact  that  the 
vouchers  exposed  by  him  to  the  legislative  committee  as  part  of  his  assets, 
a  large  portion  showed  the  money  they  represented  to  have  been  deposited 
within  two  days  prior  to  their  inspection,  another  portion  appeared  to  have 
been  antedated,  and  part  consisted  of  county  orders  long  since  due  and 
taken  in  violation  of  law,  and  only  $7,700  appeared  in  cash  in  the  treasury. 
And  it  declined  to  allow  even  an  inquiry  into,  these  evidences  of  presumed 
credit. 

It  has  enormously  increased  the  public  debt  of  the  State.  Its  scandal- 
ous alliance  with  the  Liquor  League  forced  it  to  defeat  a  bill  to  permit  the 
effects  of  alcohol  on  the  human  system  to  be  studied  by  our  children  in 
the  public  schools. 

On  this  record  we  ask  the  verdict  of  the  people,  and  also  upon  the 
following- 
Declaration  of  Principles. 

The  security  of  government  rests  upon  an  equal,  intelligent  and  honest 
ballot,  and  we  renew  our  declaration  against  crimes  of  fraud  and  vio- 
lence, wherever  practiced  and  under  whatever  form,  whereby  the  right 
of  every  man  to  cast  one  vote,  and  have  that  vote  counted  and  returned, 
is  imperiled  or  abridged.  We  especially  protest  against  the  flagrant  crime 
of  the  democratic  party  of  Indiana  against  free  suffrage  in  the  passage 
of  an  infamous  gerrymander.  We  demand  that,  man  for  man,  the  votes 
of  members  of  all  parties  shall  be  given  equal  force  and  effect. 

Freedom  of  labor  is  essential  to  the  contentment  and  prosperity  of  the 
people.  Workingmen  should  be  protected  against  the  oppressions  of  cor- 
porate monopolies  and  combinations.  We  are  opposed  to  the  importation 
of  contracted  and  ill-paid  labor  from  abroad;  the  unfair  competition  of 
convict  labor  with  free  labor;  the  competition  of  "assisted"  emigrants  and 
the  vicious  classes  of  Europe  with  American  workingmen;  the  employment 
of  young  children  in  mines  and  factories;  and  we  recommend  to  the  next 
General  Assembly  the  passage  of  such  laws  as  will  guarantee  to  working- 
men  the  most  ravorable  condition  for  their  labor— especially  in  the  proper 
ventilation  and  safeguards  for  life  and  health  in  mines  and  factories — 
and  the  sure  and  prompt  payment  of  wages.  We  favor  the  reduction  of 
the  legal  number  of  working  hours  wherever  practicable,  and  the  sub- 
mission of  all  matters  of  controversy  between  employe  and  employer, 
under  just  regulation,  to  impartial  arbitration.  The  right  of  all  men  to 
associate  for  the  promotion  of  their  mutual  good  and  protection  without 
interfering  with  the  rights  of  others  cannot  be  questioned. 

We  favor  the  maintenance  of  the  principle  of  protection,  under  which 
the  resources  of  the  State  and  nation  have  been  and  are  being  developed 
and  whereby  the  wages  of  working  men  are  from  15  to  30  per  cent,  higher 
than  under  the  revenue  tariff  in  force  before  the  republican  party  came 
into  power.  Favoring  the  reduction  and  readjustment  of  the  tariff  from 
time  to  time  as  circumstances  may  require,  upon  the  basis  of  affording 
protection  to  tjie  products  and  results  of  American  skill  and  industry,  in 
our  opinion  the  duties  should  be  reduced  as  low  as  will  be  allowed  by  a 


78  POLITICAL  PLATFORMS.  [1886 

wise  observance  of  the  necessity  to  protect  that  portion  of  our  manu- 
factures and  labor  whose  prosperity  is  essential  to  our  national  safety 
and  independence.  We,  at  the  same  time  condemn  the  declaration  of  the 
democratic  party  of  Indiana  in  favor  of  practical  free  trade  as  a  menace 
to  the  prosperity  of  the  State  arid  to  the  welfare  and  advancement  of  work- 
inginen. 

The  wisdom  and  honesty  of  the  republican  party  secured  sound  money 
to  the  people.  Gold  and  silver  should  be  maintained  in  friendly  relation 
in  the  coin  circulation  of  the  country,  and  all  the  circulating  medium — 
coin  and  paper  alike— should  be  kept  of  equal  and  permanent  value.  The 
surplus  in  the  Treasury  should  be  steadily  applied  to  the  reduction  of  the 
national  debt. 

We  favor  a  thorough  and  honest  enforcement  of  the  civil  service 
law,  and  the  extension  of  its  principles  to  the  State  administration  wher- 
ever it  can  be  made  practicable,  to  the  end  that  the  corruption  and  flagrant 
abuses  that  exist  in  the  management  of  our  public  institutions  may  be 
done  away  with,  and  they  be  liberated  from  partisan  control. 

The  republican  party  carried  into  effect  the  homestead  policy,  uncle*1 
which  the  Western  states  and  Territories  have  been  made  populous  and 
prosperous.  We  favor  the  reservation  of  public  lands  for  small  holdings 
by  actual  settlers,  and  are  opposed  to  the  acquisition  of  large  tracts  of  the 
public  domain  by  corporations  and  non-resident  aliens.  American  lands 
should  be  preserved  for  American  settlers. 

The  watering  of  corporate  stock  should  be  prevented  by  law.  Railway 
and  other  public  corporations  should  be  subjected  to  the  control  of  the 
people,  through  the  legislative  power  that  created  them,  and  their  undue 
influence  in  legislation  and  in  courts  should  be  summarily  prevented.  We 
favor  the  creation  of  a  bureau  of  labor  statistics,  whereby  the  interests  of 
both  capital  and  labor  may  be  protected  and  the  welfare  of  the  State 
promoted. 

The  constitutional  provision  that  all  taxation  shall  be  equal  and  uni- 
form, should  be  made  effective  by  such  revision  of  the  assessment  and  tax- 
ation laws  as  will  remedy  the  injustice  whereby  certain  localities  have 
been  made  to  bear  more  than  their  due  share  of  public  burdens. 

The  strict  and  impartial  enforcement  of  law  is  the  only  safeguard  to 
society;  and  we  demand  of  state  and  local  authorities  the  vigorous  execu- 
tion of  legal  penalties  against  all  criminals.  We  congratulate  the  people 
on  the  unanimous  opposition  of  all  classes  to  the  imported  crime  of  anarcn- 
isni,  which  is  the  enemy  of  social  order  and  an  attack  upon  the  safety  of 
life  and  property.  It  is  the  special  foe  of  honorable  workingmen,  and  is 
justly  condemned  by  intelligent  and  patriotic  labor  everywhere. 

Lapse  of  time  does  not  weaken  the  graititude  due  the  soldiers  and  sail- 
ors of  the  Union.  WTe  favor  such  changes  in  the  pension  laws  as  will 
make  proof  of  enlistment  conclusive  evidence  of  the  physical  soundness  of 
the  applicant,  that  will  equalize  allowances,  and  will  simplify  the  methods 
by  which  just  claims  can  be  adjudicated  in  the  Pension  Office.  We  favor 
the  .in-anting  of  a  pension  to  the  survivors  of  the  Mexican  War  who  are  not 
laboring  under  political  disability.  We  favor  the  separation  of  the  Sol- 
diers' Orphan  Home  from  the  Home  for  the  Feeble-Minded  Children.  We 
favor  the  granting  of  a  pension  to  every  honorably  discharged  Union  sol- 
dier and  sailor  suffering  from  unavoidable  disability.  The  legislature 


1886]  INDIANA,  1850—1900.  79 

should  make  a  liberal  appropriation  for  the  erection  of  a  soldiers'  and 
sailors'  monument  at  the  capital  of  the  State. 

We  renew  the  pledge  of  our  devotion  to  the  free,  unsectarian  school 
system,  and  favor  measures  tending  to  increase  its  practical  value  to  the 
people.  We  are  opposed  to  any  movement,  however  insidious,  whether 
local  or  state,  whereby  a  sacred  fund  may  be  diverted  from  its  legitimate 
use,  or  the  administration  of  the  schools  made  less  impartial  or  efficient. 

The  amendment  to  the  Constitution  of  the  State  providing  for  the 
equalization  of  fees  and  salaries  ought  not  to  remain  a  dead  letter,  and  we 
favor  the  enactment  of  a  just  law  for  the  compensation  of  all  public 
officials. 

We  favor  the  pending  constitutional  amendment  making  the  terms  of 
county  officers  four  years,  and  striking  out  the  word  "white"  from  Section 
1,  Article  12,  of  the  Constitution,  so  that  colored  men  may  become  a  part 
of  the  regular  militia  force  for  the  defense  of  the  State. 

The  attempted  domination  -of  the  Liquor  League  of  political  parties 
and  legislation  is  a  menace  to  free  institutions  which  must  be  met  and 
defeated.  The  traffic  in  intoxicating  liquors  has  always  been  under  legis- 
lative restraint;  and  believing  that  the  evils  resulting  therefrom  should  be 
rigidly  repressed,  we  favor  such  laws  as  will  permit  the  people  in  their 
several  localities  to  invoke  such  measures  of  restriction  as  they  may  deem 
wise,  and  to  compel  the  traffic  to  compensate  for  the  burdens  it  imposes 
on  society  and  relieve  the  oppressions  of  local  taxation. 

The  party  of  freedom  to  all,  irrespective  of  the  accidents  of  birth  or 
condition,  the  republican  party  welcomes  every  advance  of  the  people  to  a 
higher  standard  of  political  rights.  The  peaceful  revolution  in  Great 
Britain,  whereby  Ireland  is  sure  to  receive  the  benefits  of  local  self- 
government  after  centuries  of  oppression,  has  our  sympathy,  and  should 
command  every  proper  and  legitimate  assistance. 

Hon.  Benjamin  Harrison,  United  States  Senator  for  Indiana,  has 
worthily  won  a  front  rank  among  the  trusted  and  honored  statesmen  of 
the  Nation,  and  by  his  signal  abilities  and  devotion  to  the  highest  public 
interests,  has  brought  credit  upon  the  State  and  country.  His  course  in 
the  Senate  of  the  United  States  meets  with  our  warmest  approval,  and  we 
commend  him  to  the  confidence  and  esteem  of  all  the  people.  The  re- 
publican representatives  in  the  lower  house  of  Congress  also  deserve  the 
thanks  of  the  republicans  of  the  State  for  their  faithful  and  honorable 
service. 

In  common  with  the  nation  we  deeply  mourn  the  death  of  Ulysses  S. 
Grant,  whose  deeds  in  war  and  peace  secured  for  him  the  grateful  admira- 
tion of  his  country,  and  the  honor  of  the  world.  We  favor  an  appropria- 
tion by  Congress  for  such  an  amount  as  may  be  necessary  to  erect,  in  the 
city  of  Washington,  a  monument  befitting  the  military  achievements  and 
civic  virtues  of  one  who  shed  imperishable  luster  upon  the  American  name 
and  character.  Coupled  with  our  great  chieftain  and  leader,  in  the  coun- 
try's history,  is  the  name  of  one  of  Indiana's  most  illustrious  citizens, 
Hon.  Schuyler  Coif  ax.  His  death  is  sincerely  lamented  and  his  memory 
should  be  appropriately  honored. 


POLITICAL  PLATFORMS.  [18SS 


THE  DEMOCRATIC  PLATFORM,  J888. 

(The  Indianapolis  Sentinel,  April  27.) 

The  democratic  party  in  convention  assembled,  renews  its  pledge  of 
fidelity  to  the  constitution  and  the  doctrines  taught  oy  the  illustrious  men 
who  were  its  founders  and  illustrated  them  in  their  administration  of 
the  government,  and  insists  upon  an  honest  and  economical  administration 
of  public  affairs,  federal,  state  and  municipal.  It  will  resist  all  efforts  to 
deprive  the  federal  government  of  any  of  its  powers  as  delegated  in  the 
constitution,  and  will  maintain  for  the  States  and  the  people  respectively 
the  rights  and  powers  reserved  to  them  in  the  constitution. 

2.  We  congratulate  the  people  of  the  whole  country  upon  the  emi- 
nently successful  administration  of  President  Cleveland. 

Coming  into  power  under  circumstances  peculiarly  difficult  and  embar- 
rassing, after  a  long  period  of  republican  rule,  he  has  conducted  the  affairs 
of  the  executive  department  with  such  prudence  and  ability  as  to  challenge 
the  approval  of  all  unprejudiced  people. 

That  he  has  earnestly  labored  to  discharge  the  duties  of  his  great  office, 
in  the  interest  of  all  the  people,  there  can  be  no  question.  That  he  has 
succeeded  so  well  is  a  source  of  pride  and  gratification  to  those  who 
elected  him  as  it  should  be  to  all  his  countrymen.  Not  even  party  malice 
dares  to  assail  his  honesty  or  integrity,  and  all  his  acts  have  not  only 
been  clean,  but  above  suspicion. 

The  country  is  at  peace  with  all  the  world,  the  laws  are  faithfully 
administered,  good  order  and  economy  prevail  wherever  the  executive 
has  control,  and  the  whole  country  is  enjoying  remarkable  prosperity 
under  his  wise  and  beneficent  administration;  therefore  the  democracy 
of  Indiana  feels  that  it  would  be  unwise  to  risk  the  hazard  of  a  change, 
and  declare  themselves  emphatically  in  favor  of  his  re-election. 

3.  We  are  opposed  to  taking  money  from  the  pockets  of  the  people 
and  hoarding  it  in  the  Treasury  of  the  United  States  beyond  the  needs  of 
a  proper  administration  of  the  government,  thus  converting  it  into  dead 
capital  at  the  expense  of  the  business  of  the  country,  and  encouraging 
extravagant  and  corrupt  expenditures.     To  the  end  that  these  cruel  bur- 
dens be  removed  from  the  taxpayers,  and  that  such  expenditures  shall 
cease,  we  insist  that  the  taxes  on  imports  be  reduced  to  the  lowest  point 
consistent  with  efficiency  in  the  public  service,  and  we  demand  an  immedi- 
ate revision  and  reform  of  the  present  unjust  tariff  as  recommended  in  the 
late  message  of  the  president. 

4.  The  democratic  party  of  Indiana  favors  such  rules  and  regulations 
for  the  civil  service,  both  national  and  state,  as  will  secure  honest,  capable 
and  deserving  public  officers,  but,  where  honesty,  ability  and  merit  are 
equal,  we  believe  there  would  De  both  wisdom  and  justice  in  giving  prefer- 
ence to  those  who  would  harmonize  in  principle  and  policy  with  the  party 
having  the  responsibility  of  administration. 

5.  The  democratic  party  being  of  the  people  and  for  the  people,  favors 
such  legislation  as  will  guarantee  the  broadest  protection  to  the  interests 
and  welfare  of  the  industrial  masses;  it  recognizes  the  fact  that  labor  is 
the  producer  of  the  wealth  of  a  nation,  and  that  laws  should  be  so  framed 


1888]  INDIANA;  1850—1900.  g} 

as  to  encourage  and  promote  the  interests,  progress,  and  prosperity  of  all 
classes,  and  especially  of  all  laboring  people. 

(I.  We  recognize  the  right  of  all  men  to  organize  for  social  or  material 
advancement;  the  right  of  wage- workers  to  use  all  lawful  means  to  pro- 
tect themselves  against  the  encroachments  of  moneyed  monopolists,  and 
the  right  to  11  x  a  price  for  their  labor  commensurate  with  the  work  re- 
quired of  them,  and  we  hold  that  every  man  has  the  right  to  dispose  of 
his  own  labor  upon  such  terms  as  he  may  think  will  best  promote  his 
interests.  In  relations  between  capital  and  labor  the  democratic  party 
favors  such  measures  and  policies  as  will  promote  harmony,  between 
them,  and  will  adequately  protect  the  interests  of  both. 

"We  freely  indorse  and  approve  the  laws  passed  pursuant  to  the  de- 
mands of  former  democratic  conventions  making  provision  for  the  safety 
and  protection  of  laborers  and  miners,  and  providing  for  the  collection 
of  their  wages,  and  are  in  favor  of  all  other  enactments  to  that  end. which 
may  be  necessary  and  proper. 

7.  It  is  the  duty  of  the  government  to  repossess  itself  of  all  public 
lands  heretofore  granted  for  the  benefit  of  corporations  which  have  been 
forfeited  by  non-compliance  with  the  conditions  of  the  grants,  and  should 
hold  the  sair.e  for  the  use  and  benefit  .of  the  people.     Laws  should  be 
passed  to  prevent  the  ownership  of  large  tracts  of  land  by  corporations, 
or  by  persons  not  citizens  of  the  United  States,  or  who  have  not  declared 
their  intention  to  become  such  as  provided  by  law.     Congress  shouldtdis- 
courage  the  purchase  of  public  land  in  large  bodies  by  any  parties  for 
speculative  purposes,  but  should  preserve  the  same,  as  far  as  practicable, 
for  actual  settlers,  and  to  that  end  all  subsidies  of  land,  as  well  as  money, 
to  corporations  and  speculators  should  cease  forever. 

8.  It  is  provided  by  the  constitution  of  this  State  that  the  liberty  of 
the  people  should  be  protected  and  that  their  private  property  should  not 
be  taken  without  just  compensation,  and  we  are  opposed  to  any  change 
in  the  constitution  tending  to  weaken  these  safeguards,  or  to  any  legisla- 
tion which  asserts  the  power  to  take  or  destroy  the  private  property  of 
any  portion  of  the  people  of  this  state  without  compensation,  or  which 
unjustly  interferes  with  their  personal  liberty  as  to  what  they  shall  eat 
or  drink  or  as  to  the  kind  of  clothing  they  shall  wear,  believing  that  the 
government  should  be  administered  in  that  way  best  calculated  to  confer 
the  greatest  good  upon  the  greatest  number,  without  sacrificing  the  rights 
of  person  or  property,  and  leaving  the  innocent  creeds,  habits,  customs 
and  business  of  the  people  unfettered  by  sumptuary  laws,  class  legisla- 
tion or  extortionate  monopolies.     While  standing  faithfully  by  the  rights 
of  property  and  personal  liberty  guaranteed  to  the  people  by  the  constitu- 
tion, we  distinctly  declare  that  we  are  in  favor  of  sobriety  and  temper- 
ance, arid  all  proper  means  for  the  promotion  of  these  virtues,  but  we  be- 
lieve that  a  well  regulated  license  system,  and  reasonable  and  just  laws 
upon  that  subject,  faithfully  enforced,  would  be  better  than  extreme  meas- 
ures which,  being  subversive  of  personal  liberty  and  in  conflict  with  pub- 
lic  sentiment,   would  never   be   effectively   executed,   thus  .bringing  law 
into  disrepute  and  tending  to  make  sneaks  and  hypocrites  of  our  people. 

9.  We  unqualifiedly  condemn  the  action  of  the  republican  party  in 
the  last  general  assembly  of  the  State  of  Indiana  in  their  revolutionary 
scheme  to  unseat  democratic  members,  and  thus  obstruct  needful  legis- 

6 — Platforms. 


g2  POLITICAL  /-7,.177-'0/M/N.  [1888 

lation  and  subvert  the  will  of  the  people  as  expressed  at  the  ballot-box, 
and  we  heartily  commend  and  endorse  the  action  of  the  democratic  mem- 
bers thereof  in  their  successful  effort  to  preserve  that  majority. 

10.  The  democratic  party  of  Indiana  believes  in  fair  elections  and  an 
honest  count,  and  deplores  and  holds  up  for  the  detestation  of  the  people 
the  supreme  fraud  of  1876-7  by  which  the  will  of  the  people  was  set 
aside  and  men  not  elected  were  placed  in  two  of  the  most  important 
offices  of  the  country;  also  for  the  use  of  vast  sums  of  money  in  controll- 
ing and  corrupting-  the  elections  in  1880,  which  leading  men  of  that  party 
have  admitted  reached  the  enormous  sum  of  .$400,000  in  this  state  alone; 
also  for  setting  the  bad  example  in  various  other  ways  of  carrying  elec- 
tions by  unfair  and  unlawful  methods,  both  in  this  State  and  elsewhere. 

11.  The  democratic  party  is  the  faithful  friend  of  the  soldiers*  their 
widows   and  orphans,   and   in   appreciation   of  the  heroic  and  unselfish 
service  of  the  soldiers  and  sailors  we  declare  in  favor  of  liberal  legisla- 
tion in  their  behalf,  including  an  enactment  by  Congress  of  a  just  and 
equitable  service  pension  law,  as  a  recognition  of  patriotism  and  a  reward 
for  honorable  services  rendered  the  government. 

12.  Resolved,  That  our  contidence  and  esteem  for  the  Hon.  Daniel  W. 
Voorhees  and  the  Hon.  David  W.  Turpie,  our  great  representatives  in  the 
United  States  Senate,  continues  unabated,  and  we  cheerfully  greet  them 
and  their  democratic  associates  from  Indiana  in  the  House  of  Representa- 
tives with  the  plaudit,  "Well  done,  good  and  faithful  public  servants." 

We  heartily  indorse  the  pure  and  able  administration  of  Gov.  Isaac 
P.  Gray,  and  commend  him  to  the  democratic  national  convention  as  the 
choice  of  the  democracy  of  Indiana  for  vice-president,  and  hereby  in- 
struct oiu'  delegates  to  present  his  name  to  the  convention  for  that  high 
office,  and  to  cast  their  votes  for  him  as  a  unit  while  his  mime  is  before 
the  national  convention  as  a  candidate. 


THE  REPUBLICAN  PLATFORM,  J888. 

(The  Indianapolis  Journal.  "August  0.) 

With  grateful  pride  the  republicans  of  Indiana  indorse  and  ratify  the 
action  of  the  national  convention  held  at  Chicago,  in  June  last.  Affirm- 
ing allegiance  to  the  principles  and  policy  of  the  republican  party,  we 
pledge  to  the  nominees  for  President  and  vice-president  a  united  and  suc- 
cessful support.  The  electoral  votes  of  Indiana  will  be  given  'for  Har- 
rison and  Morton.  In  commending  Benjamin  Harrison  to  the  people  of 
the  United  States,  we  repeat  the  words  in  which  the  state  presented  him 
as  a  candidate  for  nomination:  "A  republican  without  equivocation, 
always  in  the  forefront  of  every  contest,  devoted  to  the  principles  of  the 
party  with  which  he  has  been  identified  since  its  organization,  prominent 
and  zealous  in  all  campaigns,  wise  and  trusted  in  its  councils,  serving 
with  honorable  distinction  in  the  military  and  civil  service  of  the  govern- 
ment, of  great  abilities,  long  and  distinguished  public  life,,  of  high  char- 
acter and  unblemished  reputation." 

The  national  platform  expresses  the  faith  of  the  party  upon  national 
questions.  For  the  republicans  of  Indiana  we  declare— 


1888]  IX  1)1  AX  A.  1850—1900.  §3 

Crimes  against  an  equal  ballot  and  equal  representation  are  destructive 
of  free  government.  The  iniquitous  and  unfair  apportionment  for  the  con- 
gressional and  legislative  purposes,  made  at  the  behest  of  the  Liquor 
League  of  Indiana,  followed  by  conspiracy,  and  forgery  upon  the  election 
returns  of  1880,  in  Marion  county,  for  which  a  number  of  prominent  demo- 
cratic party  leaders  were  indicted  and  tried,  two  of  whom  are  now  suffer- 
ing the  deserved  penalty  of  their  acts,  demands  the  rebuke  of  every 
patriotic  citizen.  The  gerrymander  by  which  more  than  half  of  the  people 
of  the  State  are  shorn  of  their  just  rights  must  be  repealed,  and  constitu- 
tional apportionments  made  whereby  the  votes  of  members  of  all  political 
parties  shall  be  given  equal  force  and  effect.  We  believe  equal  political 
rights  to  be  the  only  basis  of  a  truly  democratic  and  republican  form  of 
government. 

The  action  of  the  democrats  in  the  last  general  assembly  was  revolu- 
tionary and  criminal.  The  will  of  the  people,  expressed  in  a  peaceable 
and  lawful  election,  advised  and  participated  in  by  the  democratic  party, 
was  set  at  defiance,  and  the  constitution  and  laws,  as  expounded  by  the 
{supreme  Court  of  the  State,  disregarded  and  nullified.  Public  and  private 
rights  were  subverted  and  destroyed,  and  the  Capitol  of  the  State  dis- 
graced by  violence  and  brutality.  The  alleged  election  of  a  United  States 
Senator  was  accomplished  by  fraud  and  force,  by  high-handed  usurpation 
of  power,  the  overthrow  of  constitutional  and  legal  forms,  the  setting 
aside  of  the  results  of  popular  election,  and  the  theft  of  the  prerogatives 
of  duly  elected  and  qualified  members  of  the  Legislature.  The  stolen 
senatorship  is  part  of  the  democratic  administration  at  Washington,  now 
in  power  by  virtue  of  public  crimes  and  the  nullification  of  constitutions 
and  laws. 

The  sworn  revelations  of  corruption,  scoundrelisni  and  outrage  in  the 
conduct  of  the  penal  and  benevolent  institutions  of  the  State,  made  before 
investigating  committees  of  the  last  legislature,  and  confessed  by  the 
action  of  a  democratic  Governor  and  democratic  legislators,  en  fore  3  the 
demand  of  an  enlightened  public  sentiment  that  these  great  and  sacred 
trusts  be  forever  removed  from  partisan  control.  We  favor  placing  all 
public  institutions  under  a  wisely  conceived  and  honestly-administered 
civil-service  law. 

Labor  is  the  foundation  of  the  State.  It  must  be  free,  well  paid  and 
intelligent  to  remain  honorable,  prosperous  and  dignified.  In  the  inter- 
ests of  labor  we  favor  the  establishment  and  permanent  maintenance  of 
a  bureau  of  labor  statistics.  We  favor  the  passage  and  strict  enforcement 
of  laws  which  will  absolutely  prevent  the  competition  of  imported,  servile, 
convict  or  contract  labor,  of  all  kinds,  with  free  labor:  prohibit  the  employ- 
ment of  young  children  in  factories  and  mines;  guarantee  to  workingmen 
the  most  favorable  conditions  for  their  service,  especially  proper  safe- 
guards for  life  and  comfort  in  mines  and  factories,  on  railways,  and  in  all 
hazardous  occupations— to  secure  which  the  duties  and  powers  of  the 
State  Mine  Inspector  should  be  enlarged,  and  provisions  made  whereby 
only  skilled  and  competent  men  may  be  placed  in  positions  where  they 
may  be  in  control  of  the  safety  and  lives  of  others;  enforce  the  certain 
and  frequent  payment  of  wages;  abridge  the  hours  of  labor  wherever  prac- 
ticable, and  provide  for  the  submission  co  just  and  impartial  arbitration, 
under  regulations  that  will  make  the  arbitration  effective,  of  all  contro- 


84  POLITICAL  PLATFORM*.  [1888 

versies  between  working  men  and  their  employers.  The  right  of  wage- 
workers  to  organize  for  the  legitimate  promotion  of  their  mutual  good 
cannot  be  questioned. 

A  just  and  equal  enforcement  of  the  law  is  the  only  sure  defense  for 
the  rights  of  the  people.  It  is  the  highest  duty  of  the  State  and  local 
governments  to  administer  all  laws  for  the  protection  of  life  and  property, 
and  the  abdication  of  this  function  to  private  and  personal  agencies  is 
dangerous  to  the  public  peace  and  subversive  of  proper  respect  for  legal 
authority. 

We  favor  such  legislation  as  will  secure  to  every  head  of  a  family  in 
Indiana  a  comfortable  homestead,  in  addition  to  the  personal  property 
now  exempted  from  execution  by  the  law. 

Fees  and  salaries  should  be  equalized  under  the  constitutional  amend- 
ment adopted  by  so  large  a  majority  for  that  purpose,  and  a  law  for  the 
equitable  compensation  of  public  officials  should  be  promptly  enacted. 
The  methods  of  county  and  township  business  should  be  economized  and 
simplified. 

The  amendments  to  the  State  Constitution  making  the  terms  of  county 
officers  four  years,  and  striking  out  the  word  "white"  from  Section  1, 
Article  12,  so  that  colored  men  may  become  a  part  of  the  regular  militia 
force  for  the  defense  of  the  State,  should  be  renewed. 

Railway  and  other  public  corporations  should  be  subject  to  control 
through  the  legislative  power  that  created  them;  their  undue  influence 
in  legislation  and  courts,  and  the  imposition  of  unnecessary  burdens  upon 
the  people,  through  illegitimate  increase  of  capital,  should  be  summarily 
prevented. 

The  free,  unsectarian  school  system  must  be  protected  against  im- 
pairment or  abridgment  from  any  cause.  The  constitutional  provision  for 
a  common  school  education  of  the  children  of  all  the  people  should  be 
given  the  widest  possible  scope.  The  State  Normal  School  for  the  training 
of  teachers  for  the  common  schools  should  be  rebuilt,  and  the  school  fund 
of  the  state  released  from  restrictions  that  keep  it  out  of  the  hands  of  the 
people. 

Politics  and  legislation  must  be  kept  free  from  the  influence  of  the 
saloon.  The  liquor  traffic  must  obey  the  law.  We  favor  legislation  upon 
the  principle  of  local  option,  whereby  the  various  communities  throughout 
the  State  may,  as  they  deem  best,  either  control  or  suppress  the  traffic 
in  intoxicating  liquors. 

The  gratitude  of  a  patriotic  people  to  the  defenders  of  the  Union  cannot 
be  measured  by  money.  They  will  not  consent  that  any  Union  soldier 
or  sailor,  or  his  widow  or  orphans,  shall  be  impoverished  or  embarrassed 
because  of  the  refusal  of  liberal  provision  by  the  government,  or  by  tech- 
nical requirements  of  law  or  administration  in  securing  recognition  of 
their  just  claims.  Proof  of  an  honorable  discharge  and  of  existing  disa- 
bility ought  and  must  be  deemed  sufficient  showing  to  warrant  the  award 
of  a  pension. 

We  congratulate  the  people  of  the  State  upon  the  indications  of  a  pros- 
perity that  is  being  maintained  despite  all  adverse  influences.  The  rapid 
iitiliza.tion  of  natural  gas  has  greatly  stimulated  the  industrial  interests 
of  the  commonwealth,  and  rendered  more  essential  the  continuance  of 
that  economic  system  under  which  our  marvelous  advancement  has  been 


1800  J  INDIAyA,  1850—1900.  85 

made.  State  legislation  should  be  directed  towards  the  reclamation  of 
untiliable  lands  and  the  development  of  our  resources  of  every  kind. 

Democratic  filibustering  in  the  House  of  Representatives  prevented  the 
return  to  the  Treasury  of  the  State  of  Indiana  of  the  sum  of  $904,875.33, 
the  justice  of  which  claim  against  the  general  government  has  been  offi- 
cially acknowledged  and  its  repayment  provided  for.  Like  hostile  demo- 
cratic action  has  prevented  the  return  to  our  State  Treasury  of  $60(5,979.41 
discount  and  interest  on  war-claim  bonds  rendered  necessary  to  equip  and 
maintain  the  volunteer  soldiers  who  went  out  under  the  first  call  for  troops 
in  1SG1.  More  than  a  million  and  a  half  dollars  justly  due  the  State  are 
thus  withheld,  in  the  presence  of  an  increasing  federal  surplus  and  of  a 
practically  bankrupt  State  treasury,  caused  by  the  incompetence  of  the 
democratic  state  administration. 

The  services  of  our  republican  members  of  the  national  House  of  Rep- 
resentatives meet  our  unqualified  approval.  They  have  been  alert  to 
protect  the  interests  of  the  State  and  their  respective  constituents.  The 
location  of  a  branch  of  the  national  soldiers'  home,  and  the  prospective 
establishment  of  a  marine  hospital,  within  the  borders  of  the  State,  are 
causes  for  special  congratulation. 

Under  this  declaration  of  facts  and  principles,  the  republicans  of  In- 
diana invite  the  co-operation  of  all  citizens,  irrespective  of  past  political 
faith  or  action. 


THE  DEMOCRATIC  PLATFORM,  J890. 

(The  Indianapolis  Sentinel,  August  29.) 

We.  the  democracy  of  Indiana,  in  convention  assembled,  for  the  first 
time  since  the  memorable  contest  of  1888,  when  we  went  down  in  defeat 
but  not  in  dishonor,  overcome  by  the  shameless  methods  of  Dudleyism 
and  the  blocks-of-nve,  do  solemnly  declare: 

That  the  electoral  vote  of  Indiana  was  obtained  for  Harrison  and 
Morton  by  the  most  flagrant  crimes  against  the  ballot-box  ever  perpetrated 
in  an  American  commonwealth;  that  these  crimes  were  committed  under 
the  direct  auspices  of  William  Wade  Dudley,  then  aiid  now  treasurer  of 
the  national  republican  committee,  and  by  the  procurement  and  connivance 
of  republican  leaders  in  this  State  and  in  the  nation;  that  the  administra- 
tion of  Benjamin  Harrison  has  made  itself  an  accessory  after  the  fact  to 
these  crimes  by  shielding  the  criminals  from  punishment,  and  even  by 
rewarding  them  for  their  knavery;  and  that  the  brazen  prostitution  of 
the  machinery  of  the  federal  court  for  the  district  of  Indiana,  by  its  judge 
and  attorney,  to  the  protection  of  these  conspirators  against  the  suffrage, 
constitutes  the  most  infamous  chapter  in  the  judicial  annals  of  the  repub- 
lic. The  federal  court  of  Indiana  has  decided  that  advising  and  organizing 
bribery  is  not  a  crime.  We  appeal  from  the  decision  to  the  people  of 
Indiana,  and  we  demand  a  verdict  against  William  A.  Woods,  and  the 
miscreants  whom  he  saved  from  legal  punishment. 

We  denounce  the  administration  of  Benjamin  Harrison  for  its  delib- 
erate abandonment  of  civil  service  reform;  for  its  use  of  cabinet  positions 


§(3  POLITICAL  PLATFORM*.  [1890 

and  other  high  stations  in  payment  of  financial  campaign  debts:  for  treat- 
ing the  public  patronage  as  a  family  appendage,  instead  of  a  public  trust, 
and  quartering  a  host  of  relatives,  by  blood  and  by  marriage,  upon  the  na- 
tional treasury;  for  dismissing  honest  and  competent  public  servants,  in 
violation  of  solemn  pledges,  because  of  their  political  opinions,  and  filling 
their  places  with  men  devoid  of  character  or  capacity  and  whose  only 
title  to  preferment  rested  upon  disreputable  partisan  work;  for  its  dalli- 
ance with  questionable  gift  enterprises;  for  its  complete  subservience  to 
Wall  st.  and  the  money  power,  and  its  undisguised  hostility  or  indifference 
to  the  rights  and  interests  of  the  producing  and  laboring  masses. 

We  denounce  the  tariff  monopolists  for  their  efforts  to  perpetuate 
themselves  in  power  by  measures  inconsistent  with  free  institutions  and 
contrary  to  good  morals.  We  find  in  the  force  election  bill,  the  bills  cre- 
ating rotten  borough  states  and  the  McKinley  tariff  bill,  the  open  mani- 
festations of  a  gigantic  conspiracy  of  the  minority  to  oppress  a  groaning 
people  wTith  additional  burdens  of  taxation  for  private  benefit  and  to  fasten 
it  on  the  country  in  such  a  way  that  the  people  can  not  free  themselves 
from  the  galling  load. 

We  condemn  the  republican  party  for  the  deliberate  theft  of  two 
seats  in  the  Senate  of  the  United  States  from  the  people  of  Montana;  for 
degrading  the  house  of  representatives  from  a  deliberate  body  into  a  one- 
man  despotism  under  the  false  and  hypocritical  pretense  of  expediting 
the  public  business;  for  unseating  legally  elected  representatives  of  the 
people  in  order  to  strengthen  a  partisan  majority,  which  was  originally 
the  product  of  fraud;  for  trampling  upon  the  rights  of  the  minority  in 
disregard  as  well  as  justice  and  decency  as  of  parliamentary  usage  and 
the  plain  requirements  of  the  constitution;  and  for  reckless  prodigality  in 
appropriations,  which  has  converted  the  surplus  accumulated  under  the 
wise,  frugal  and  statesmanlike  administration  of  Grover  Cleveland  into 
a  deficit  of  alarming  dimensions,  involving  in  the  near  future,  a  further 
heavy  increase  of  the  people's  burden. 

We  denounce  the  force  election  bill,  which  has  passed  the  house,  and 
has  the  active  support  of  the  administration,  as  revolutionary  and  uncon- 
stitutional. It  strikes  down  home  rule  and  local  self-government;  sug- 
gests and  encourages  fraudulent  elections,  and  provides  the  machinery  to 
accomplish  dishonest  returns  and  false  certificates  of  election;  fosters 
sectionalism  and  bayonet  rule  where  every  interest  of  the  people  invites 
to  peace,  fraternity  and  unity;  outrages  the  traditions  and  customs  of  a 
century  by  giving  life  tenure  to  partisan  returning  boards;  makes  the  legis- 
lative and  executive  branches  dependent  upon  the  judiciary,  and  converts 
the  judiciary  into  an  instrument  of  oppression  and  corruption:  involves 
the  unnecessary  expenditure  of  millions  of  the  people's  money,  and  in  Indi- 
ana nullifies  the  Andrews  election  law  passed  by  the  last  legislature  over 
the  determined  opposition  of  the  republicans.  We  declare  that  interfer- 
ence of  any  kind  by  the  federal  government  with  state  elections  is  a  dan- 
gerous menace  to  the  form  of  government  bequeathed  us  by  the  framers 
of  the  constitution,  and  that  the  intelligence  and  patriotism  of  the  Amer- 
ican people  may  safely  be  trusted  to  remedy  any  evils  that  may  exist  in 
our  elections. 

We  denounce  the  McKinley  tariff  bill  as  the  most  outrageous  measure 
of  taxation  ever  proposed  in  the  American  congress.  It  will  increase  taxes 


1890]  IXDIANA,  1850—1900.  87 

upon  the  necessaries  of  life  and  reduce  taxes  upon  the  luxuries.  It  will 
make  life  harder  for  every  farmer  and  wage-earner  in  the  land  in  order 
that  the  profits  of  the  monopolies  and  trusts  may  be  swelled.  It  affords 
no  relief  whatever  to  the  agricultural  interests  of  the  country,  already 
staggering  under  the  heavy  burdens  of  protection;  in  the  words  of  James 
G.  Elaine,  "it  will  not  open  a  market  for  a  single  bushel  of  wheat  or  a  sin- 
gle barrel  of  pork."  We  are  opposed  to  legislation  which  compels  Indiana 
farmers  to  pay  bounties  to  the  sugar  planters  and  silk  growers  of  other 
states.  We  are  opposed  to  class  legislation  of  every  kind;  to  subsidies 
and  bounties  of  every  description  and  in  every  disguise.  We  are  in  favor 
of  that  wide  measure  of  commercial  freedom  proposed  by  Grover  Cleve- 
land which  would  benefit  the  farmers  and  laborers  of  the  entire  country, 
instead  of  that  limited  measure  of  so  called  reciprocity  offered  by  Mr. 
Elaine,  which  would  benefit  only  a  few  eastern  manufacturers.  So  long 
as  the  government  depends  for  support  in  any  degree  upon  a  tariff,  we 
demand  that  it  be  levied  for  revenue  only,  and  so  far  as  possible  upon  the 
luxuries  of  the  classes,  instead  of  the  necessaries  of  the  masses. 

We  denounce  the  silver  bill,  so-called,  recently  enacted,  as  an  igno- 
minious surrender  to  the  money  power.  It  perpetuates  the  demonetization 
of  silver  and  the  silver  gold  standard,  whereas  the  interests  of  the  people 
require  the  complete  remonetization  of  silver  and  its  restoration  to  per- 
fect equality  with  gold  in  our  coinage.  We  demand  the  free  and  unre- 
stricted coinage  of  silver  upon  the  basis  existing  prior  to  1873. 

We  are  in  favor,  as  we  always  have  been,  of  a  just  and  liberal  pension 
system.  We  denounce  the  republican  party  for  making  pledges  to  the 
veterans  in  1888  which  have  not  been  redeemed,  and  were  not  intended  to 
be  redeemed,  and  we  warn  them  against  further  attempts  at  deception 
from  the  same  quarter. 

We  are  rejoiced  at  the  evidences  of  an  awakening  of  the  farmers  of 
the  country  to  the  necessity  for  organized  efforts  to  better  their  own  con- 
dition and  protect  themselves  against  unjust  legislation  and  oppressive 
administration.  We  invite  attention  to  the  fact  that  farmers  are  demand- 
ing, in  substance,  the  same  measures  of  relief  which  the  democratic  party 
has  been  advocating  for  years,  but  has  not  had  the  power  to  enact,  and 
that  the  surest  and  speediest  way  of  obtaining  this  relief  is  to  restore  the 
democracy  to  power  in  every  department  of  the  government. 

We  demand  legislation  prohibiting  aliens  from  acquiring  lands  in 
America,  and  for  die  forfeiture  of  titles  to  the  20,742,000  acres  of  our 
public  lands  now  held  by  them. 

We  favor  the  election  of  United  States  Senators  by  the  people. 

We  endorse  most  heartily  the  legislation  of  the  general  assembly  of 
1889.  We  applaud  the  election  reform  laws  and  pledge  ourselves  to  their 
support  and  full  enforcement.  We  applaud  the  school  text-book  laws 
by  which  the  people  are  given  school  books  at  one-half  their  former  price. 
We  favor  such  additional  legislation  as  will  give  full  effect  to  the  objects 
of  this  act,  and  will  extend  its  scope  as  far  as  practicable,  and  pledge  our- 
selves to  resist  every  attempt  of  the  school-book  trust  to  regain  its  old 
control  over  our  public  schools.  We  favor  such  simplification  of  the  school 
laws  affecting  township  trustees  and  county  superintendents,  and  their 
duties  as  will  increase  their  efficiency  and  decrease  expenses. 


$8  POLITICAL  PLA.TfOtf.MK.  [1800 

We  applaud  the  bill  for  county  farmers'  institutes,  and  pledge  our- 
selves to  countenance  and  extend  that  valuable  means  of  universal  instruc- 
tion in  agricultural  science. 

We  applaud  the  state  board  of  charities  law,  and  commend  the  excel- 
lent work  done  by  that  board  in  improving  the  conditions  and  methods 
of  our  benevolent  and  reformatory  institutions.  The  creation  of  our 
splendid  system  of  public  charities,  and  their  honest  and  efficient  manage- 
ment, constitutes  one  of  the  strongest  titles  of  the  Indiana  democracy  to 
popular  confidence  and  support. 

Wo  applaud  the  law  for  funding  the  school  debt,  by  which  the  State 
is  saved  annually  $120,000  in  interest  and  nearly  $4,000,000  has  been  dis- 
tributed to  the  counties  to  be  loaned  to  the  people  at  6  per  cent,  interest. 

We  denounce  the  conspiracy  of  certain  republican  state  officials  and 
newspapers  to  destroy  the  State's  credit  for  partisan  purposes  by  dis- 
seminating false  statements  as  to  her  financial  condition  and  resources.^ 
Indiana  is  not  bankrupt.  Her  taxes  are  low  and  her  debt  is  not  oppressive, 
and  for  every  dollar  of  it  she  has  more  than  value  received  in  great  public 
institutions— a  fact  which  speaks  volumes  for  democratic  integrity,  econ- 
omy and  efficiency. 

The  state  debt  obligations  should  not  be  hawked  over  the  country,  but 
should  be  made  a  popular  domestic  security,  issued  direct  to  the  people  of 
the  state  in  bonds  of  small  denomination,  drawing  a  low  rate  of  interest, 
and  non-taxable,  that  the  interest  paid  may  remain  at  home,  and  the  se- 
curities may  be  made  a  safe  investment  for  trust  funds  and  the  people's 
savings. 

We  demand  the  adoption  of  a  system  of  equalizing  the  appraisement 
of  real  and  personal  property  in  this  state,  to  the  end  that  an  equal  and 
proper  uniformity  in  such  assessments  shall  be  secured,  for  the  reason  that 
under  existing  regulations  many  counties  are  compelled  to  pay  an  unjust 
proportion  of  the  state's  expenses,  wThich  others  as  unjustly  escape. 

We  applaud  the  eight-hour  labor  law,  the  law  to  prevent  "blacklisting," 
the  law  prohibiting  "pluck-me"  stores,  the  laws  for  the  protection  of  coal 
miners,  the  law  preventing  the  importation  of  Pinkerton  detectives,  and 
the  repeal  of  the  republican  intimidation  law  of  1881  as  manifestations  of 
the  steadfast  friendship  of  the  democratic  party  to  the  workingmen.  We 
point  to  these  laws  as  evidence  that  our  friendship  to  American  labor  is 
not  confined  to  words  alone. 

We  denounce  the  employment  of  Pinkertons  by  a  railroad  corporation 
in  New  York  in  the  pending  contest  with^its  employes  and  hold  it  to  be 
the  duty  of  state  and  local  officials  everywhere  to  prevent  such  an  usurpa- 
tion by  capital  of  the  police  powers  of  the  state.  We  are  in  favor  of  arbi- 
tration as  the  only  just  and  fair  method  of  settling  labor  controversies, 
and  we  demand  of  the  next  legislature  the  passage  of  a  law  creating  a 
permanent  tribunal  of  arbitration  for  that  purpose.  We  insist  that  labor 
has  as  good  right  to  organize  in  self -protection  as  capital,  and  that  labor 
organizations  should  be  placed  on  a  perfect  equality  before  the  law  with 
organizations  of  capital,  known  as  corporations. 

We  favor  the  just  and  equitable  apportionment  of  the  school  revenues 
of  the  State. 

We  favor  the  total  abandonment  of  the  system  of  fees  and  perquisites 
in  the  payment  of  state  and  county  officers;  and  we  demand  the  enact- 


1890  J  IX  DIANA,  1S50— !'."><  >.  go, 

ment  of  a  law  by  the  next  legislature  fixing  fair  salaries  for  all  public 
officials,  the  same  to  go  into  effect  as  soon  as  practicable. 

Judges  Coffey,  Berkshire  and  Olds,  republican  members  of  the  supreme 
bench,  deserve  the  contempt  of  the  people  of  Indiana  for  their  action  in 
overturning  the  settled  construction  of  the  constitution,  reversing  all  legal 
precedents,  and  contradicting  their  own  rulings  for  the  sake  of  a  few 
petty  offices  and  at  the  dictation  of  unscrupulous  political  tricksters. 

While  we  heartily  indorse,  and  will  always  uphold,  maintain  and  foster, 
at  any  cost,  our  system  of  public  schools  for  the  free  instruction  of  all  who 
choose  to  make  use  of  them,  we  are  unalterably  opposed  to  all  attempts  to 
regulate  by  law  the  course  of  study  in  any  private  or  parochial  school, 
and  we  deprecate  and  denounce  any  interference  on  the  part  of  the  state 
in  the  management  of  schools,  maintained  by  citizens  at  their  own  ex- 
pense, as  an  arbitrary,  despotic  and  intolerable  encroachment  upon  private 
rights. 

We  favor  legislation  for  establishing  and  preserving  the  township 
libraries  of  the  State  of  Indiana  as  invaluable  adjuncts  of  our  common 
school  system. 

We  heartily  indorse  the  course  of  Daniel  W.  Voorhees  and  David 
Turpie  in  the  United  States  Senate,  and  commend  them  for  their  able 
and  brilliant  advocacy  of  democratic  principles  and  their  vigilant  defense 
of  the  public  interests  against  the  assaults  of  plutocracy  and  monopoly. 
We  also  indorse  the  course  of  Indiana's  ten  democratic  representatives 
in  Congress. 

Resolved,  That  it  is  the  sense  of  this  convention  that  hereafter  the 
members  of  the  state  central  committee  shall  be  chosen  on  the  8th  of 
January  of  each  alternate  year  (commencing  in  the  year  1892)  by  the 
voters  of  the  respective  congressional  districts  represented  by  delegates 
appointed  by  the  respective  counties  and  such  delegates  shall  assemble 
at  the  call  of  the  chairman  of  the  state  central  committee.  The  members 
of  the  state  central  committee  thus  chosen  shall  hold  their  position  for 
two  years  and  until  their  successors  are  respectively  elected. 


90  POLITICAL  PLATFORMS.  [1800 


THE  REPUBLICAN  PLATFORM,  J890. 

(The  Indianapolis  Journal,  September  11.) 

The  republicans  of  Indiana  congratulate  the  people  of  the  State  upon 
the  fact  that,  since  we  were  last  assembled  on  a  like  occasion,  the  State 
has  been  honored  the  first  time  in  its  history  by  the  elevation  of  one  of 
its  citizens  to  the  position  of  chief  executive  of  the  nation. 

We  endorse  the  administration  of  Benjamin  Harrison,  and  the  able 
statesmen  selected  as  his  co-laborers  and  advisers,  as  being  wise,  vigor- 
ous and  patriotic.  He  has  kept  the  pledges  made  to  the  people,  has  care- 
fully guarded  and  zealously  promoted  their  welfare,  and  elevated  the  condi- 
tion of  the  public  service. 

We  heartily  approve  the  action  of  the  republicans  in  Congress.  Under 
the  brilliant  and  fearless  leadership  of  Thomas  B.  Reed  they  have  again 
proved  that  the  republican  party  can  be  relied  upon  to  meet  and  solve 
great  political  questions,  and  have  once  more  demonstrated  its  capacity 
for  intelligent  and  patriotic  government.  Important  treaties  concluded  and 
pending,  liberal  pension  laws,  the  revision  of  the  system  of  impost  duties, 
provision  for  the  certain  and  impartial  collection  thereof,  laws  authorizing 
States  to  deal  with  articles  deemed  harmful,  legislation  to  secure  pure 
food,  for  our  people,  and  removing  all  objections  of  the  products  of  our 
farms  in  foreign  markets,  provision  for  increasing  the  volume  of  a  sound 
currency,  laws  designed  to  make  elections  fair  and  pure,  legislation  for 
the  protection  of  railroad  employes,  laws  against  trusts  and  monopolies, 
to  suppress  lotteries,  to  prohibit  convict  labor  on  public  works,  to  prohibit 
importation  of  foreign  laborers  under  contract,  for  the  protection  of 
miners,  to  endow  colleges  of  agriculture  and  mechanic  arts,  and  stat- 
utes adding  six  stars  to  the  flag  of  the  Union,  each  representing  a  common- 
wealth already  great  and  populous,  constitute  work  completed  or  well 
advanced,  which,  in  character  and  value  has  rarely  been  equalled  in  any 
single  session  of  Congress. 

Familiar  with  the  history  of  the  last  thirty  years,  the  people  need 
scarcely  be  reminded  that  all  this  useful  legislation  has  met  democratic 
opposition,  prolonged,  bitter  and  determined.  With  single  persistence  the 
representatives  of  the  party  have  flung  themselves  under  the  wheels  of 
the  car  of  progress  and  filled  the  ears  of  the  people  with  their  outcries. 
Charged  with  high  public  duties,  they  have  vehemently  insisted  that  they 
were  not  present  in  the  halls  of  legislation  except  for  the  purpose  of  re- 
ceiving their  salaries  and  obstructing  public  business.  We  condemn  their 
conduct  as  unworthy  of  the  representatives  of  the  people  wThose  govern- 
ment is  founded  on  the  right  of  the  majority  to  rule,  and  as  hostile  to  the 
welfare  of  the  laborer,  the  mechanic,  the  soldier,  the  farmer  and  the  manu- 
facturer, all  of  whose  interests  are  directly  involved  in  the  legislation 
they  have  so  violently  opposed. 

We  reaffirm  our  belief  in  the  republican  doctrine  of  protection  to  Amer- 
ican industries.  Home  markets,  with  millions  of  consumers  engaged  in 
varied  industries,  are  the  best  in  the  world,  and  for  many  perishable 
articles  the  only  ones  accessible.  American  markets  should  be  first  for 
our  citizens,  and  to  this  end  we  favor  levying  import  duties  upon  products 


1890]  INDIANA,  1850—1900.  9^ 

of  other  nations,  often  the  result  of  degraded  labor,  selecting  such  articles 
as  we  can  produce  profitably,  and  as  will  bring  revenue  to  the  government 
and  impose  the  least  burden  upon  our  people. 

We  condemn  the  democratic  doctrine  of  free  trade,  under  the  operation 
of  which  thousands  now  engaged  in  manufacturing,  mining  and  like  indus- 
tries, must  be  driven  to  agricultural  pursuits,  at  once  increasing  our  farm 
products  and  destroying  the  best  and  most  reliable  market  for  them,  and 
commend  the  policy  of  reciprocity  proposed  in  connection  with  pending 
tariff  legislation,  to  the  end  that  when  our  markets  are  opened  more  freely 
to  the  products  of  other  countries,  we  should  obtain  as  a  consideration 
therefor  more  favorable  trade  privileges  with  countries  so  benefited.  We 
will  thus  secure,  especially  in  Mexico,  the  Central  and  South  American 
States,  and  adjacent  islands,  such  a  market  for  our  agricultural  and  manu- 
factured products  as  will  enable  us  to  pay  for  our  sugar  and  coffee  with 
the  product  of  our  mills  and  farms. 

We  heartily  approve  the  action  of  republicans  in  Congress  in  making 
generous  provision  for  him  who  has  borne  the  battle,  and  his  widow  and 
orphans.  A  wise  liberality,  far  surpassing  any  similar  action  by  other 
nations,  gives  to  the  defenders  of  the  Union  and  those  dependent  upon 
them,  at  least  one  hundred  and  fifty  millions  of  dollars  annually.  Of  this 
vast  amount  over  fifteen  millions  will  be  disbursed  in  the  State  of  Indiana 
each  year,  bringing  needed  relief  to  thousands  of  patriotic  homes,  and 
stimulating  business  by  largely  increasing  the  volume  or  money  circulating 
among  our  people. 

As  against  all  democratic  promises  and  pretenses,  we  proudly  recall 
the  fact  that  all  important  pension  legislation  has  been  placed  on  the  stat- 
ute books  by  the  republicans;  and  against  constant  democratic  opposition 
they  have  steadily  maintained  a  revenue  system  adequate  to  meet  its 
demands.  Nor  has  it  been  the  habit  of  republican  Presidents  to  sneer 
at  or  veto  laws  adding  to  the  comfort  of  those  who  maintained  the  integ- 
rity of  the  Union,  and  gave  to  the  Nation  one  flag  of  honor  and  authority. 
In  justice  to  the  Union  soldiers  and  sailors,  we  urge  the  passage  of  the 
service  pension  bill. 

We  commend  the  action  of  republicans  in  Congress  on  the  subject  of 
silver  coinage.  Every  democrat  in  Congress  who  is  recorded  as  voting, 
including  the  last  candidate  of  that  party  for  Vice-President,  at  the  time 
of  the  demonetization  of  silver,  voted  in  favor  of  the  measure.  Ex-Presi- 
dent Cleveland,  by  messages  to  Congress,  strongly  opposed  all  legislation 
favorable  to  free  coinage,  and  the  law  recently  enacted  was  passed  in 
spite  of  persistent  democratic  opposition.  Under  its  beneficent  influence, 
silver  has  rapidly  approached  the  gold  standard  of  value,  farm  products 
are  advancing  in  price,  and  commerce  is  feeling  the  impulse  of  increased 
prosperity.  It  will  add  more  than  $50,000,000  annually  of  sound  currency 
to  the  amount  in  circulation  among  the  people  and  is  a  long  yet  prudent 
step  toward  free  coinage. 

Prosperous  and  dignified  labor  is  essential  to  a  free  State.  It  should 
be  well  paid,  and  the  hours  of  employment  be  such  as  to  leave  leisure  for 
recreation  and  mental  and  moral  culture.  We  favor  protection  against 
every  form  of  convict  or  servile  labor,  prohibition  of  the  employment  of 
young  children  in  factories  and  mines,  protection  of  railroad  employes  by 
requiring  the  adoption  of  a  uniform  coupler,  protection  of  employes  en- 


92  POLITICAL  PLATFORlLti.  [1890 

gaged  in  factories  and  mines,  or  other  hazardous  occupations,  from  every 
danger  that  can  be  removed  or  diminished,  the  adjustment  of  differences 
between  employe  and  employer  by  arbitration,  and  such  legislation  as 
may  be  needed  to  facilitate  and  protect  organizations  of  farmers  and 
wage  laborers  for  the  proper  and  lawful  promotion  of  their  mutual  in- 
terests. And  we  condemn  the  conduct  of  the  representatives  of  the  demo- 
cratic party,  both  in  Congress  and  the  Legislature  of  Indiana,  who,  while 
professing  abundant  regard  for  the  welfare  of  the  workingman,  have  failed 
to  enact  valid  and  efficient  laws  on  these  subjects. 

We  repeat  our  demand  for  elections  that  shall  be  free,  equal  and  honest 
in  every  part  of  the  Union.  Upon  such  elections  depend  the  political 
equality  and  just  representation  of  the  people  of  every  State.  Our  national 
government  is  founded  upon  the  idea  that  there  shall  be  such  elections, 
and  we  urge  the  Congress  of  the  United  States  to  enact  such  laws  as  will 
accomplish  this  result,  and  make  ample  provision  for  forcing  the  discon- 
tinuance of  intimidation,  corruption  and  fraud. 

We  believe  that  the  soil  of  the  United  States  should  be  reserved  for 
its  own  citizens,  and  such  as  may  become  citizens,  and  favor  such  legisla- 
tion by  Congress  and  the  State  Legislature  as  will  prevent  aliens  becoming 
the  owners  of  the  land  needed  for  homes  for  independent  American 
farmers. 

Believing  that  the  food  supply  of  the  people  should  be  kept  as  pure  as 
possible,  and  that  all  articles  should  be  sold  under  such  names  as  will 
indicate  their  true  character,  -we  favor  such  legislation  by  Congress  and 
the  State  legislature  as  will  best  accomplish  these  purposes. 

WTe  denounce  all  trusts  and  combinations  tending  to  hurtfully  affect 
the  price  of  commodities,  as  opposed  to  the  welfare  of  the  people  at 
large,  and  favor  such  State  legislation  as  will  supplement  the  action  of  a 
republican  Congress  looking  to  their  suppression. 

To  cheapen  transportation  and  so  improve  the  markets  of  our  farms 
and  mills,  w^e  favor  improvement  of  our  rivers  and  harbors,  wherever  a 
reasonable  expenditure  will  increase  the  facilities  for  carrying  freight. 

We  cordially  indorse  the  administration  of  Gov.  Alvin  P.  Hovey  and 
his  republican  associates  as  courageous,  prudent  and  earnestly  devoted 
to  the  best  interests  of  the  people  of  the  State. 

We  demand  that  our  benevolent  institutions  be  placed  above  the  level 
of  partisan  politics,  and  that  they  be  controlled  by  boards  composed  of 
members  of  different  political  parties,  appointed  by  the  Governor,  to  the 
end  that  the  cost  of  their  maintenance  may  be  reduced,  and  the  helpless 
and  unfortunate  wards  of  the  State  may  not  be  made  the  victims  of  unfit 
appointments  dictated  by  the  caucus,  and  made  as  a  reward  for  party 
services. 

We  denounce  all  attempts  to  correct  supposed  evils  by  the  lawless  acts 
of  mobs,  commonly  called  White  Caps,  as  unworthy  of  a  civilized  State. 
We  favor  such  legislation  as  will  aid  the  executive  and  local  authorities 
in  exterminating  such  evils  in  the  few  localities  where  there  have  been 
occasional  manifestations  of  this  lawless  spirit,  and  that  there  may  be  no 
pretext  for  lawless  attempts  to  redress  supposed  grievances  we  demand 
the  vigorous  enforcement  of  the  laws  against  all  offenders  by  the  duly 
constituted  authorities  of  the  State. 

The  efforts  of  the  saloon  to  control  political  parties  and  dominate  elec- 
tions must  be  met  and  defeated.  The  traffic  in  intoxicating  liquors  has 


1890  J  INDIANA,  1850—1900.  93 

always  boon  regarded  as  a  proper  subject  for  legislative  restraint,  and 
those  engaged  in  it  should  be  compelled  to  obey  the  laAvs.  We  favor 
legislation  upon  the  principle  of  local  option,  whereby  the  various  com- 
munities throughout  the  State  may,  as  they  deem  best,  either  control  or 
suppress  the  traffic,  and  approve  the  recent  action  of  Congress  remitting 
the  control  of  this  subject  to  the  several  States. 

We  believe  that  all  State  officers  who  serve  the  whole  people  should 
be  elected  by  them  as  soon  as  appointments  made  by  the  executive  under 
the  Constitution  expire,  and  favor  such  an  amendment  to  the  national  Con- 
stitution as  will  extend  the  same  method  to  the  election  of  United  States 
Senators,  thus  reducing  the  danger  of  corruption,  giving  the  majority 
representation,  and  making  such  an  election  as  that  under  which  one 
Indiana  Senator  now  misrepresents  its  people  impossible. 

We  believe  that  the  making  of  public  improvements,  and  other  purely 
business  affairs  of  our  larger  cities,  can  be  best  and  most  economically 
managed  by  non-partisan  boards,  and  favor  legislation  to  that  end,  but  we 
maintain  the  right  of  local  self-government,  and  believe  that  such  boards 
should  be  appointed  by  the  Mayor  of  the  city  they  are  to  serve. 

The  better  to  secure  the  savings  of  our  people  so  largely  invested  in 
building  associations,  we  favor  legislation  requiring  foreign  associations 
and  those  organized  in  other  states  to  make  proper  proof  of  their  solvency, 
furnish  ample  security,  and  pay  a  reasonable  license  fee  for  the  privilege 
of  doing  business  in  the  State. 

We  condemn  the  legislature  of  Indiana  for  creating  offices  and  attempt- 
ing to  fill  them  with  its  own  favorites,  contrary  to  the  established  cus- 
toms and  in  defiance  of  the  Constitution.  We  denounce  as  unpatriotic 
and  as  tending  to  revolution  and  anarchy,  denunciation  of  able  and  upright 
judges  of  any  political  party,  by  party  newspapers  and  political  plat- 
forms, for  the  sole  reason  that  in  the  conscientious  and  proper  discharge  of 
high  judicial  duties  such  judges  have  rendered  opinions  against  supposed 
partisan  interests.  We  believe  our  State  and  federal  judges  to  be  able 
and  conscientious,  and  recognize  in  the  malignant  censure  bestowed  upon 
them  another  democratic  attempt  to  bring  the  law  into  disrepute,  and 
teach  the  lesson  of  disobedience  by  villifying  the  judges  charged  with  the 
grave  duty  of  deciding  all  controversies  among  our  citizens. 

The  constitutional  amendment  adopted  by  an  immense  majority  in 
March,  1881.  authorizing  the  legislature  to  enact  laws  grading  the  com- 
pensation of  officers  according  to  population  and  services  required,  ex- 
pressed the  demand  of  the  people  for  such  laws.  In  party  platforms 
and  public  utterances  the  democratic  party  has  often  declared  in  favor  of 
such  legislation,  but  having  often  a  majority  in  both  branches  of  the 
legislature,  it  has  suffered  this  amendment  to  remain  a  dead  letter  for  nine 
years.  We  favor  legislation  under  this  amendment,  by  which  officers 
shall  be  paid  fixed  salaries,  having  regard  to  population  and  the  cha-ac- 
ter  of  the  services  rendered,  and  the  prices  paid  for  similar  work  in  other 
occupations,  and  all  fees  collected  be  paid  into  the  proper  treasury  for  the 
public  benefit.  Such  legislation  should  take  effect  at  the  close  of  officials' 
terms  for  which  elections  have  been  made  at  the  time  of  its  enactment, 
and  should  be  followed  by  a  constitutional  amendment  making  the  terms 
of  State  and  county  officers,  except  the  judiciary,  four  years,  and  render- 
ing incumbents  ineligible  for  re-election  in  any  period  of  eight  years. 


94  POLITICAL  PLATFOIfMS.  [1890 

We  congratulate  the  people  of  the  State  upon  its  magnificent  free- 
school  system.  It  has  always  been  fostered  and  cherished  by  the  repub- 
lican party  as  the  great  safeguard  of  government  by  the  people.  To  the 
end  that  free  schools  may  accomplish  more  perfect  work  and  extend  the 
inestimable  benefits  of  education  still  further,  to  free  school-houses  and 
free  tuition,  we  would  add  free  text-books,  so  that  to  the  humblest  child 
within  our  borders  would  be  offered  an  education  absolutely  free.  Legis- 
lation to  this  end  should  not  be  postponed,  but  be  so  framed  as  not  to 
impair  contracts  to  which  the  State  stands  pledged.  To  further  promote 
the  efficiency,  and  the  better  to  secure  equality  in  the  operation,  of  our 
school  laws  we  favor  a  just  and  equitable  apportionment  of  the  school 
funds  of  the  State.  AVe  are  opposed  to  any  interference  with  the  rights 
now  conceded  to  citizens  maintaining  private  and  parochial  schools. 

We  condemn  the  reckless  and  unbusinesslike  policy  of  the  Democratic 
party,  under  which,  at  a  time  when  neighboring  States  have  been  reducing 
their  indebtedness,  Indiana  presents  the  spectacle  of  a  rapidly-increasing 
public  debt,  amounting  now  to  more  than  eight  million  dollars.  It  is  a 
most  flagrant  instance  of  that  extravagant  and  utterly  indefensible  demo- 
cratic policy  of  making  large  expenditures,  entailing  heavy  interest 
charges  upon  the  people,  while  attempting  to  delude  them  with  the  false 
pretense  of  reducing  their  burdens.  Extravagant  appropriations  for  the 
expenses  of  the  legislature,  to  pay  its  numerous  officers  and  attendants, 
and  for  the  benefit  of  parasites  demanding  compensation  for  partisan 
services,  have  helped  to  swell  the  current  expenses  of  the  State  until  they 
exceed  the  revenue  provided  for  their  payment  by  nearly  half  a  million 
of  dollars  annually.  The  condition  that  confronts  us  is  one  that  has  be- 
come sadly  familiar,  where  there  has  been  a  period  of  government  by  the 
democratic  party.  We  have  no  surplus  to  distress  us,  but  a  robust  and 
growing  deficiency.  We  would  meet  it,  first,  by  such  rigid  economy  in 
appropriations  as  will  limit  them  to  the  actual  necessities;  second,  by  in- 
creasing in  revenue  by  laws  designed  to  compel  personal  as  well  as  real 
property  to  bear  its  full  share  of  the  public  burdens,  and  also  by  requir- 
ing corporations,  obtaining  valuable  franchises  belonging  to  the  people 
and  granted  by  the  State,  to  pay  to  the  State  a  substantial  license  fee 
therefor,  to  be  fixed  according  to  the  value  and  character  of  the  franchise 
granted.  And  only  as  a  last  resort  do  we  favor  any  additional  taxation, 
either  by  increasing  the  rate,  or  under  the  guise  of  a  higher  appraisement. 

We  condemn  the  gerrymandering  of  election  districts  to  secure  partisan 
advantages,  as  in  violation  of  the  spirit  of  our  State  Constitution,  and  as 
an  assault  upon  political  equality  and  popular  government,  having  the 
same  object  as  similar  disfranchisement  accomplished  by  forged  returns, 
tissue  ballots  and  the  shotgun,  and  as  being  equally  infamous.  By  this 
iniquity  two  successive  legislatures  have  directly  opposed  the  will  of  our 
people,  and  to  that  extent  government  by  the  people  has  been  overthrown. 
One  of  them,  by  methods  violent  and  revolutionary,  elected  a  member  of 
the  United  States  Senate,  who  assumes  to  represent  a  constituency  that 
voted  against  his  principles  at  the  very  election  at  which  this  legislature 
was  chosen.  Aiding  him  in  misrepresenting  our  people  are  ten  members 
of  the  National  House  of  Representatives,  elected  at  an  election  at  which 
the  party  that  carried  the  State  chose  but  three.  Above  all  other  questions 
in  which  any  class  of  our  people  are  interested,  stands  the  question  of  our 


1S92]  IXDIAXA,  1850—1900. 


95 


power  to  make  public  opinion  public  law,  but  the  party  responsible  for 
the  existing  outrage  upon  popular  rights  does  not  even  promise  us  in  its 
platform  that  it  will  either  mitigate  or  correct  it.  We  stand  pledged  to 
a  just  and  equitable  apportionment  of  the  State  for  legislative  and  con- 
gressional purposes,  under  which  any  party  having  a  majority  of  votes 
can  elect  a  majority  of  representatives,  and  we  invite  all  who  believe  in 
government  by  the  majority,  who  concede  to  their  neighbors  the  political 
rights  claimed  by  themselves,  to  aid  us  in  accomplishing  this  reform,  upon 
which  all  other  reforms  depend. 


THE  DEMOCRATIC  PLATFORM,  J892. 

(The  Indianapolis  Sentinel,  April  22.)    ' 

We,  the  democracy  of  Indiana,  in  delegate  convention  assembled,  re- 
affirm our  devotion  to  the  time-honored  principles  of  our  historic  party. 
We  believe  that  the  powers  delegated  by  the  people  should  be  strictly 
construed;  that  the  anatomy  of  the  states  and  the  rights  of  local  self- 
government  and  home  rule  should  be  jealously  guarded;  that  no  money 
should  be  taken  from  the  people,  under  any  pretext,  for  other  than  public 
purposes:  that  the  strictest  economy  should  be  exercised  in  all  government 
expenditures,  whether  local,  state  or  national:  that  legislation  should  be 
confined  to  the  legitimate  objects  of  government;  that  public  office  is  a 
solemn  public  trust.  We  are  uncompromisingly  opposed  to  the  enlarge- 
ment and  concentration  of  federal  powers;  to  the  usurpation  by  the  cen- 
tral government  of  the  functions  of  the  states;  to  bounties  and  subsidies 
in  every  form;  to  every  species  of  class  legislation  and  government  partner- 
ship with  private  enterprises;  to  the  whole  theory  and  practice  of  pa- 
ternalism. 

We  believe  that  in  a  "free  country  the  curtailment  of  the  absolute 
rights  of  the  individual  should  only  be  such  as  is  essential  to  the  peace 
and  good  order  of  the  community,"  and  we  regard  all  legislation  looking 
to  the  infringement  of  liberty  of  person  or  conscience,  not  absolutely  neces- 
sary to  the  maintenance  of  public  order,  as  vicious  in  principle  and  de- 
moralizing in  practice. 

We  arraign  the  administration  of  Benjamin  Harrison  for  its  subservi- 
ency to  the  interests  of  the  money  power,  which  created  it.  and  its  indiffer- 
ence to  the  welfare  of  the  people;  for  its  brazen  violation  of  its  solemn 
pledges  to  the  country,  to  elevate  and  purify  the  public  service;  for  its 
shameless  prostitution  of  the  public  patronage  to  the  vilest  partisan  pur- 
poses, as  illustrated  by  the  sale  of  a  cabinet  office  to  John  Wanamaker; 
by  the  employment  of  the  pension  bureau  as  a  party  machine,  and  by  the 
promotion  of  William  A.  Woods  to  a  higher  post  in  the  federal  judiciary 
as  a  reward  for  his  services  in  saving  the  "blocks-of-five"'  conspirators 
from  the  penitentiary:  for  its  contemptuous  repudiation  of  its  promises  to 
the  veteran  soldiers  of  the  Union;  for  its  wicked  attempt  to  fasten  upon 
this  country  the  odious  and  un-American  force  bill,  intended  to  deprive 
the  people  of  the  right  to  regulate  their  own  elections. 


96  POLITICAL  PLATFORMS.  [1892 

We  favor  such  a  radical  and  comprehensive  measure  of  tariff  reform 
as  shall  relieve  the  necessities  of  the  people  and  the  crude  material  of  our 
manufacturers  from  federal  taxation. 

We  condemn  the  so-called  reciprocity  policy  as  a  transparent  attempt 
to  impose  upon  the  American  people  the  shadow  of  commercial  freedom, 
for  its  substance,  in  order  to  perpetuate  the  existing  system  of  licensed 
spoliation  for  the  benefit  of  trusts  and  monopolies,  which  are  the  chief 
support  of  the  republican  party. 

We  believe  that  there  should  be  kept  in  constant  circulation  a  full  and 
sufficient  volume  of  money,  consisting  of  gold,  silver  and  legal  tender 
paper  currency  at  par  with  each  other. 

We  favor  the  election  of  U.  S.  Senators  directly  by  the  people  and 
commend  Senator  Turpie  for  his  efforts  in  Congress  to  secure  this  great 
reform.  We  indorse  the  course  of  our  distinguished  Senators  Daniel  W. 
Voorhees  and  David  Turpie. 

We  most  heartily  applaud  the  action  of  our  two  last  legislatures  'in 
passing  the  school  book  laws,  thereby  giving  the  people  of  Indiana  a  com- 
plete series  of  school  text-books,  equal  to  those  formerly  used,  at  one-half 
of  the  old  trust  prices.  We  pledge  ourselves  to  resist  every  attempt  of 
the  school-book  combine  to  regain  their  control  of  Indiana,  and  by  that 
means  bring  about  the  frequent  expensive  changes  in  books,  of  which  the 
people  justly  complained  in  former  years. 

We  approve  the  Australian  election  system,  introduced  in  Indiana  by 
the  democratic  party.  It  has  stood  the  test  of  experience  and  we  are  in 
favor  of  maintaining  it  intact. 

This  convention  hereby  renews  the  expression  of  appreciation  of  the 
patriotism  of  the  soldiers  of  Indiana  in  the  war  for  the  preservation  of  the 
Union,  and  we  favor  just  and  liberal  pensions  for  all  disabled  soldiers, 
their  widows  and  dependents;  but  we  demand  that  the  work  of  the  pension 
office  shall  be  done  industriously,  impartially  and  honestly.  We  denounce 
the  administration  of  that  office  by  the  present  commissioner,  Green  B. 
Raum,  as  incompetent,  corrupt,  disgraceful  and  dishonest,  and  we  demand 
his  immediate  removal  from  office. 

We  heartily  indorse  the  new  tax  law  as  a  wise  and  beneficent  act.  by 
which  the  increased  revenues  necessary  for  the  support  of  the  state  gov- 
ernment are  raised  entirely  from  the  corporations  of  the  State,  that  had 
heretofore  unjustly  escaped  their  fair  proportion  of  taxation.  We  com- 
mend the  legislature  for  refusing  to  adopt  Governor  Hovey's  recommenda- 
tion to  increase  the  state  levy  from  12  cents  to  25  cents  on  the  $100,  and 
for  meeting  the  necessary  expenses  of  the  State's  benevolent  institutions 
by  a  levy  of  6  cents  on  the  $100.  We  denounce  the  infamous  conspiracy 
of  the  republican  county  commissioners,  township  trustees  and  other  offi- 
cials of  Indiana,  who,  for  the  purpose  of  creating  unfair  prejudice  against 
the  new  tax  law,  have  wantonly  and  needlessly  increased  the  local  taxes, 
in  the  forty-six  counties  controlled  by  them,  more  than  $1,250,000— a  sum 
greater  than  the  total  increase  of  state  taxes  in  the  entire  state.  We  call 
on  the  taxpayers  of  those  counties  to  rebuke  at  the  polls  these  local  offi- 
cials, who  have  put  this  needless  and  oppressive  burden  upon  them. 

Inasmuch  as  the  exemption  of  the  greenback  currency  from  taxation 
by  national  law  is  not  only  unjust  in  principle,  but  also  is  the  occasion  of 
much  fraudulent  evasion  of  local  tax  laws,  and  inasmuch  as  interstate 


1892]  INDIANA,  1850—1900.  97 

transportation  companies  are  exempted  from  equitable  taxation,  by  Hie 
constitutional  powers  conferred  on  Congress  concerning  interstate  com- 
merce, vre  demand  that  the  Indiana  senators  and  representatives  in  Con- 
gress use  their  influence  to  secure  the  passage  of  laws  making  greenbacks 
taxable  as  other  money,  and  making  interstate  commerce  taxable  on  the 
same  terms  as  domestic  commerce. 

We  congratulate  the  taxpayers  of  Indiana  on  the  adoption  by  the  legis- 
lature, of  the  system  of  paying  public  officials  stated  salaries  instead  of 
giving  tlTem  power  to  compensate  themselves  by  fees  and  perquisites. 

We  reaffirm  our  unswerving  devotion  to  the  interests  of  public  educa- 
tion, not  only  as  identified  with  the  common  school  system,  but  also  in 
connection  with  the  higher  institutions  of  learning,  free  public  libraries 
and  all  other  legitimate  means  for  promoting  and  preserving  the  virtue 
and  intelligence  of  the  people. 

The  democratic  party  stands  by  its  record  as  the  friend  of  the  masses 
as  against  the  classes,  and  calls  attention  of  the  laboring  men  of  Indiana 
that  it  has  given  to  them  the  eight-hour  law;  the  law  to  prevent  blacklist- 
ing; the  law  prohibiting  "pluck-me"  stores;  the  law  for  the  protection  of 
miners,  and  laws  which  make  it  impossible  for  Pinkerton  detectives  to 
arrest  and  slay  laboring  men  in  Indiana  because  of  their  efforts  toward 
self-protection. 

For  twenty  years  the  republican  party  has  legislated  for  the  rich  and 
powerful  and  in  the  interest  of  corporate  wealth.  The  democratic  party 
pledges  itself  to  remedy  the  costs  growing  out  of  such  class  legislation 
and  in  ail  future  contests  to  stand  by  the  great  producing  masses  whose 
toil  and  self-sacrificing  are  at  the  foundation  of  all  natural  wealth. 

We  commend  the  organization  of  the  industrial  classes  for  self-pro- 
tection against  trusts,  combines  and  monopolies,  and  call  the  attention  of 
farmers  and  laborers  to  the  fact  that  every  evil  complained  of  by  them 
is  the  result  of  republican  legislation. 

Resolved,  That  this  convention  indorse  the  wrise  and  patriotic  admin- 
istration of  Grover  Cleveland;  that  the  presidential  campaign  of  1892 
should  be  conducted  on  the  issue  of  tariff  reform  as  defined  in  the  presi- 
dential message  of  1887;  that  upon  this  issue  Mr.  Cleveland  is  the  logical 
candidate  of  the  democratic  party. 

Resolved,  That  the  democratic  party  of  Indiana  expresses  its  un- 
alterable confidence  in  and  attachment  to  its  gallant  leader,  Isaac  P. 
Gray:  that  it  holds  him  worthy  of  any  honor  in  the  gift  of  the  American 
people,  and  that  his  name  be  presented  to  the  convention  by  the  delegation 
this  day  appointed,  and  in  the  event  that  the  national  convention  deems 
the  nomination  of  Mr.  Cleveland  inexpedient,  the  delegation  is  instructed 
to  use  every  honorable  effort  to  secure  the  nomination  of  Governor  Isaac 
P.  Gray  for  the  presidency. 


7— Platforms. 


98  POLITICAL  PLATFORM*.  [1892 


THE  REPUBLICAN  PLATFORM,  1892. 

(The  Indianapolis  Journal,  June  29.) 

The  republicans  of  Indiana  heartily  approve  the  declarations  adopted 
by  the  republican  national  convention  at  Minneapolis. 

As  citizens  of  Indiana  we  congratulate  the  people  of  the  State  upon  the 
nomination  for  President  of  the  United  States  our  fellow-citizen,  Benjamin 
Harrison.  The  administration  of  the  national  government  under  his  lead- 
ership has  been  marked  with  such  wisdom  and  patriotism  as  to  impress 
the  whole  country  and  give  abundant  assurance  that  its  continuance  will 
add  lustre  to  the  American  name  and  increase  the  comfort  of  the  Amer- 
ican home.  We  commend  the  candidates  of  the  republican  party  of  the 
Nation  as  eminently  worthy  of  the  suffrage  of  an  intelligent  and  patri- 
otic people. 

The  democratic  party  has  often  demonstrated  its  incapacity  for  govern- 
ment in  both  national  and  state  affairs.  In  Indiana,  believing  itself 
intrenched  behind  a  gerrymander  of  surpassing  iniquity,  it  has  shown  a 
reckless  disregard  of  the  people's  interest  and  welfare,  imposing  intol- 
erable burdens  without  benefit.  We  therefore  condemn  the  democratic 
management  of  our  State  affairs  as  incompetent,  wasteful  and  in  the  in- 
terest of  party  managers,  and  direct  attention  especially  to  the  subject 
hereafter  mentioned. 

Debt  and  Democracy  are  synonymous  terms  with  the  tax-payers  of 
Indiana.  Unparalleled  extravagance  in  public  expenditures  has  marked 
the  course  of  democracy  in  Indiana  during  the  past  decade  until  the  state 
is  now  burdened  with  a  debt  of  nine  million  dollars.  The  current  expenses 
of  the  State  government  have  been  radically  increased  by  reckless  manage- 
ment. The  burdens  thus  imposed  have  become  too  oppressive  to  be  en- 
dured. Our  progress  as  a,  people  has  been  greatly  impeded,  and  the  credit 
of  the  State  will  soon  become  seriously  impaired,  unless  radical  changes  in 
the  conduct  of  our  public  business  are  speedily  introduced.  Relief  lies 
with  the  people,  and  we  invite  the  voters  of  all  political  opinions  to  unite 
in  turning  out  of  power  the  party  that  has  always  been  false  to  its  pledges 
of  economy  and  reform. 

We  arraign  the  democratic  party  of  Indiana  for  enacting  an  unequal 
and  unjust  tax  law.  It  imposes  upon  the  farmer,  laborer  and  householder 
an  excessive  and  unjust  share  of  public  burden.  It  creates  a  great  number 
of  unnecessary  offices  hitherto  unknown  to  law.  To  the  burden  of  taxa- 
tion, already  too  heavy,  it  adds  more  than  $100,000  for  the  fees,  salaries 
and  expenses  of  these  offices  and  officers.  We  demand  its  radical  revision. 
We  pledge  ourselves  to  enact  such  amendments  to  the  present  tax  law  as 
shall  relieve  the  farm  and  home  from  the  unjust  taxation  now  borne  by 
them;  which  shall  place  a  just  share  of  the  public  burden  on  capital  and 
incorporate  property  and  provide  a  more  simple  and  less  expensive  method 
of  assessment. 

We  condemn  the  action  of  the  last  democratic  legislature  in  largely  in- 
creasing the  fees  and  salaries  of  State  and  county  offices.  It  made  many 
public  offices  sinecures  by  providing  for  the  performance  of  official  duties 
by  deputies  paid  out  of  the  public  funds. 


1892]  lyDIANA,  1850—1900.  99 

The  law  passed  by  the  last  Democratic  Assembly,  apportioning  the 
state  for  legislative  and  congressional  purposes,  was  designedly  and  wick- 
edly framed,  so  as  to  deny  to  many  counties  and  localities  fair  and  equal 
representation  in  the  legislative  department  of  the  State  and  Nation  to 
place  and  retain  under  democratic  control  in  this  state  all  its  public  insti- 
tutions and  affairs,  and  to  give  that  party  an  increased  and  unfair  repre- 
sentation in  Congress  and  the  Legislature.  Such  a  policy  is  dangerous  and 
destructive  of  all  good  government,  and  merits  the  condemnation  of  all 
patriotic  people.  And  we  now  pledge  the  "republican  party  to  continue  the 
warfare  against  this  dishonest  policy  of  the  democratic  party  until  the 
state  shall  be  honestly  apportioned  by  giving  to  each  county  and  locality 
its  fair  and  equitable  representation  in  proportion  to  its  numbers. 

We  denounce  the  purpose  of  the  democratic  party,  clearly  avowed  in 
the  national  platform,  to  repeal  the  law  imposing  a  10  per  cent  tax  on 
State  Bank  issues,  and  thus  removing  the  only  barrier  to  a  return  of  the 
system  of  "wild-cat"  money,  which  once  disgraced  our  state  and  largely 
impoverished  our  people. 

The  democratic  party  deserves  the  emphatic  condemnation  of  every 
citizen  of  the  State  for  its  refusal  to  replace  our  benevolent  institutions 
upon  a  non-partisan  basis,  when  murder,  cruelty,  debauchery,  fraud  and 
incompetency  mark  that  party's  management  of  many  of  these  institu- 
tions, and  for  still  persisting  in  retaining  partisan  control  of  the  asylums 
of  the  helpless  and  unfortunate  that  they  may  be  made  the  coin  in  pay- 
ment for  party  services.  We,  therefore,  demand  an  absolute  non-partisan 
management  of  the  benevolent  and  reformatory  institutions  of  the  State 
through  boards  whose  members  shall  be  appointed  by  the  Governor,  from 
the  different  political  parties  of  the  State,  to  the  end  that  they  may  be  re- 
lieved from  the  present  profligate  management. 

We  favor  the  enactment  by  Congress  of  a  law,  thrice  recommended  by 
President  Harrison,  compelling  the  use  of  standard  safety  car-couplers 
for  the  protection  of  the  lives  and  limbs  of  employes  engaged  in  interstate 
•commerce.  The  people  in  the  employ  of  railroad  companies  in  this  state 
form  a  large  percentage  of  its  population,  and  are  justly  entitled  to  such 
legislation,  as  will  place  them  on  an  equality  with  such  corporations  be- 
fore the  law;  and  we  are  opposed  to  railways  maintaining  insurance 
companies  by  coercing  their  employes  to  become  members  of  them.  The 
-employers  of  labor  should  be  liable  in  damages  for  injuries  to  persons,  or 
destruction  of  life  where  the  employer  is  more  at  fault  than  the  employe. 

We  also  favor  a  law  governing  convict  labor  in  the  penal  institutions 
of  the  State  that  will  work  the  least  possible  injury  to  free  labor.  We  are 
in  sympathy  with  all  well  directed  efforts  of  laboring  men  to  improve  their 
condition  by  united  action  or  otherwise,  and  pledge  ourselves  to  give  them 
such  legislation  as  will  tend  to  advance  the  interests  of  wage-workers. 

We  most  heartily  endorse  the  generous  pension  laws  enacted  by  re- 
publicans in  Congress,  and  congratulate  the  country  that  during  the  ad- 
ministration of  President  Harrison  no  pension  bill  has  been  vetoed.  We 
demand  that  proper  and  suitable  provisions  be  made  for  the  care  and 
maintenance  of  indigent  soldiers,  and  their  wives  and  widows,  to  the  end 
that  no  soldier,  or  wife  or  widow  of  a  soldier  shall  ever  be  an  inmate  of 
a  poor-house  in  the  State  of  Indiana,  and  that  such  provisions  be  made 
that  the  soldier,  when  overtaken  by  poverty  and  adversity,  shall  not,'  in 


100  POLITICAL  PLATFOHMH.  [189* 

his  declining  years,  be  separated  from  the  wife  of  his  youth.  We,  there- 
fore, advocate  the  establishment,  by  the  State,  in  connection  with  the 
Indiana  Department  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  of  a  suitable 
state  soldiers'  home  for  the  care  and  maintenance  of  indigent  soldiers, 
and  their  wives  and  widows,  upon  the  plan  recommended  by  the  G.  A.  R. 

The  people  of  Indiana  cherish  the  memory  of  Alvin  P.  Hovey.  He 
was  a  native  of  this  State,  and  with  only  such  opportunities  as  were  open 
to  all,  arose  to  high  position  in  the  State  and  Nation,  and  distinguished 
himself  as  a  jurist,  soldier  and  statesman.  The  republicans  of  Indiana 
lament  his  death  as  the  loss  of  a  trusted  leader  and  of  a  statesman  who 
crowned  a  long  and  useful  career  by  a  courageous  and  manly  defense  of 
the  Constitution  he  helped  to  frame  and  of  the  just  powers  of  tlie  State's 
chief  executive. 

We  tender  to  that  eminent  republican  leader,  James  G.  Blaine,  and  the 
members  of  his  family  our  sincere  sympathy,  and  with  them  mourn  the 
loss  of  those  who  so  recently  formed  part  of  their  family  circle. 


THE  DEMOCRATIC  PLATFORM,  J894. 

(The  Indianapolis  Sentinel,  August  16.) 

The  democratic  party  of  Indiana  takes  just  pride  in  the  strength  of 
the  record  it  has  made  in  the  legislative  and  executive  departments  of 
this  commonwealth  by  the  enactment  and  enforcement  of  wise  and  benefi- 
cent laws  in  the  interest  of  the  people  and  in  the  fulfillment  of  its  pledges. 

It  passed  the  mechanic  lien  laws  and  the  law  giving  laborers  a  lien 
upon  the  product  of  their  labor  for  wages  and  materials  furnished,  the  law 
protecting  labor  organizations,  the  law  providing  for  the  safety  of  miners 
and  proper  ventilation  of  mines,  constituting  eight  hours  a  clay's  labor  in 
public  employment,  prohibiting  the  blacklisting  of  employes,  prohibiting 
"pluck-me"  stores,  the  employes'  liability  law,  forbidding  the  employment 
and  importation  of  Pinkerton  detectives,  against  the  importation  of  alien 
or  foreign  labor.  It  enacted  the  school  book  law,  saving  large  sums  to 
the  people,  breaking  down  an  oppressive  monopoly  and  placing  the  instru- 
ments of  education  within  the  reach  of  the  poorest  and  humblest  citizens; 
it  enacted  our  existing  laws  purifying  elections,  giving  an  untramineled 
ballot  to  the  voter,  and  by  the  Australian  ballot  successfully  preventing 
fraud  and  the  intimidation  of  employes  and  others  at  the  polls.  It  framed 
and. passed  our  present  tax  law,  thus  adding  millions  of  property  to  our 
tax  duplicates;  it  passed  the  present  fee  and  salary  law;  ii  enacted  the 
Barrett  improvement  law  which  has  proven  a  blessing  wherever  used;  it 
also  passed  the  state  board  of  charities  law,  which  has  insured  honest, 
humane  and  intelligent  administration  of  our  public  institutions. 

All  this  has  been  accomplished  in  almost  every  instance,  in  spite  of 
the  determined  objection  and  opposition  of  the  republican  party.  By  this 
course  of  legislation  in  fulfillment  of  pledges  to  the  people.  Indiana  has 
been  placed  at  the  fore  front  of  all  the  states  in  matters  of  this  kind  and 
kindred  reform  legislation,  and  we  pledge  ourselves  to  the  maintenance 
and  enforcement  of  these  measures,  while  the  republican  party  stands 


1894J  I\I)[A.\A,  1S50—1900. 

pledged,  at  the  first  opportunity,  to  destroy,  either  by  repeal  or  amendment, 
the  most  important  of  these  wise  laws. 

We  congratulate  the  people  of  Indiana  upon  the  upholding  of  the  tax 
law  of  1891,  under  which  more  than  a  hundred  millions  of  dollars  of  cor- 
porate property  has  been  added  to  the  tax  duplicate.  And  we  especially 
commend  the  action  of  the  state  officers  in  charge  in  prosecuting  and  en- 
forcing to  a  successful  conclusion  the  provisions  of  said  laws. 

We  reaffirm  our  opposition  to  the  vicious  system  of  class  legislation, 
miscalled  protection,  and  pledge  ourselves  to  continue  the  battle  against 
it  until  every  species  of  extortion  and  robbery  fostered  by  the  McKinley 
act  shall  be  obliterated  from  our  revenue  system  and  the  people  enjoy  all 
the  blessings  of  commercial  liberty.  The  protective  system  has  built  up 
the  great  monopolies  and  trusts  which  control  absolutely  so  many  indus- 
tries and  has  done  so  much  to  debauch  the  politics  of  the  country  and 
corrupt  the  legislative  department  of  the  government.  We  denounce 
tariff  protection  of  every  kind  as  a  fraud  and  a  robbery  of  the  great  ma- 
jority of  the  American  people  for  the  benefit  of  the  few.  We  maintain 
that  no  tariff  taxes  should  be  levied  except  for  the  purpose  of  revenue  only 
and  that  such  taxes  should  be  limited  to  the  necessities  of  the  government, 
when  honestly  and  economically  administered. 

We  denounce  the  McKinley  tariff  law  enacted  by  the  Fifty-first  Con- 
gress as  the  culminating  atrocity  of  class  legislation.  We  approve  the 
efforts  of  President  Cleveland  and  his  administration  of  the  democratic 
house  of  representatives  and  of  the  large  majority  of  the  democratic  sen- 
ators, and  particularly  our  distinguished  senators  from  Indian ?i,  the  Hon. 
Daniel  W.  Voorhees  and  the  Hon.  David  Turpie,  and  our  entire  democratic 
delegation  in  congress,  to  redeem  the  pledges  made  to  the  country  by  the 
last  democratic  national  convention,  and  to  execute  the  will  of  the  Amer- 
ican people,  as  expressed  so  emphatically  at  the  ballot  box  in  November, 
1892.  We  condemn  the  republican  party  for  its  persistent  efforts  to  pre- 
vent the  execution  of  this  unmistakable  popular  verdict,  and  we  especially 
condemn  a  small  coterie  of  senators  who,  masquerading  as  democrats, 
by  threats  to  defeat  all  tariff  legislation,  have  temporarily  prevented  the 
democratic  party  from  carrying  out  all  of  its  pledges  to  the  people  for  tariff 
reform,  as  announced  in  the  democratic  national  platform  of  1892. 

We  congratulate  the  democratic  party  and  the  country  upon  the  fact 
that,  notwithstanding  the  open  opposition  of  the  republican  party  and  the 
conduct  of  a  few  pretended  democrats,  a  substantial  measure  of  reform 
has  been  enacted;  that  many  important  raw  materials  of  our  industries 
have  been  placed  on  the  free  list;  that  a  material  reduction  has  been  made 
in  the  duties  on  iron  ore  and  coal,  and  that  the  tariff  tax  on  nearly  all 
classes  of  manufactured  goods,  including  woolens  and  on  the  necessities 
of  daily  life,  have  been  very  largely  reduced. 

We  approve  the  action  of  the  house  of  representatives  in  following  the 
enactment  of  this  law  with  the  passage  of  separate  acts,  placing  sugar, 
coal,  iron  ore  and  barbed  wire  on  free  list,  and  we  demand  that  the  senate 
shall  concur  in  these  righteous  measures  at  the  earliest  possible  moment. 
We  especially  indorse  the  income  tax  as  a  wise  and  equitable  measure 
designed  to  place  a  fair  share  of  the  burdens  of  the  government  upon  the 
property  of  the  country,  for  the  benefit  of  which  the  expenses  of  the  gov- 
ernment are  so  largely  incurred. 


POLITICAL  PLATFORMS.  [1894 

We  indorse  the  law  passed  by  a  democratic  congress  authorizing  the 
taxation  of  greenbacks  as  other  money  is  taxed  as  a  great  measure  of 
reform,  and  we  take  pride  in  the  fact  that  the  demand  for  such  reform  was 
first  formulated  by  the  democracy  of  Indiana,  and  that  it  is  due  to  the  per- 
sistent and  intelligent  efforts  of  a  democratic  representative  from  Indiana 
that  this  reform  has  been  embodied  into  law.  We  favor  the  prompt  en- 
actment of  a  law  by  our  next  legislature  for  the  taxation  of  that  class 
of  money. 

We  most  heartily  indorse  the  action  of  the  democratic  congress  in  re- 
pealing the  odious  election  law. 

We  are  in  favor  of  a  constitutional  amendment  providing  for  the 
election  of  United  States  senators  by  direct  vote  of  the  people.  We  are 
also  in  favor  of  such  constitutional  and  other  changes  as  may  be  necessary 
in  order  that  Congress  may  assemble  as  soon  after  its  election  as  practica- 
ble, and  to  the  end  that  the  will  of  the  people,  as  expressed  at  the  polls, 
may  receive  full  and  prompt  legislative  expression. 

We  believe  and  declare  that  the  policy  and  principles  of  what  is  called 
the  American  protective  association  are  illiberal,  unwise,  unpatriotic,  un- 
democratic and  un-American.  In  the  spirit  of  that  religious  freedom 
which  characterizes  our  constitution  and  laws,  and  the  spirit  of  that  wise 
toleration  and  generous  statesmanship  which  seeks  to  accord  to  all  the 
rights  and  privileges  of  American  citizenship,  we  call  upon  every  man  to 
do  battle  against  such  an  organization. 

The  democratic  party  of  Indiana  is,  as  it  always  has  been,  the  friend 
of  the  laboring  man,  of  whom  its  membership  is  so  largely  composed.  It 
is  in  hearty  sympathy  with  every  lawful  effort  to  secure  for  those  who 
earn  their  livelihood  by  their  daily  toil  full  protection  in  all  their  rights 
as  American  citizens,  to  better  the  condition  of  their  lives,  to  secure  for 
them  full  and  fair  compensation  for  their  labor  and  to  afford  them  every 
possible  opportunity  for  moral,  social  and  material  advancement.  We  con- 
demn the  efforts  that  have  been  made,  whether  by  the  professed  friends 
or  the  avowed  enemies  of  our  wage-workers,  to  identify  their  cause  with 
the  infamous  conspiracies  of  lawlessness  and  anarchy  which  threaten  the 
very  foundations  of  social  order  and  civilization.  We  are  opposed  to  every 
manifestation  of  violence  and  mob  spirit  and  stand  squarely  for  the  main- 
tenance of  law  and  order  upon  all  occasions  and  under  all  circumstances. 

We  favor  the  enactment  and  enforcement  of  such  laws  regulating 
immigration  from  other  countries  as  shall  exclude  the  pauper  and  vicious 
classes,  who  are  unfitted  to  become  American  citizens,  and  whose  presence 
in  the  country  will  furnish  a  standing  menace  to  the  order  and  prosperity 
of  our  land. 

We  denounce  the  unprincipled  and  cowardly  effort  of  the  republican 
party  to  escape  the  responsibility  for  the  existing  depressed  condition  of 
the  business  affairs  of  the  country.  This  condition  is  the  natural,  logical 
and  inevitable  result  of  the  infamously  corrupt  system  of  taxation  known 
as  McKinleyism,  combined  with  other  vicious  legislation  and  the  profligate 
extravagance  of  the  republican  party. 

We  favor  the  establishment  of  a  tribunal  of  arbitration  in  which  there 
may  be  secured  a  peaceful  settlement  of  all  disputes  between  employers 
and  employes. 


1894]  INDIANA,  1850—1900. 


103 


The  democratic  party  is,  as  it  has  ever  been,  opposed  to  all  sumptuary 
laws  as  contrary  to  the  principles  of  free  government,  and  favor  the 
largest  individual  liberty  of  the  citizens  consonant  with  good  government. 

We  indorse  the  repeal  of  the  purchasing  clause  of  that  cowardly  re- 
publican makeshift,  the  Sherman  silver  act  of  1890.  We  reaffirm  our  be- 
lief that  both  gold  and  silver  should  be  used  as  the  money  standard  of 
the  country,  and  that  both  should  be  coined  without  discriminating  against 
either  metal  and  without  charge  for  mintage.  We  believe  it  absolutely 
necessary  to  the  welfare  and  prosperity  of  the  great  producing  masses-, 
that  silver  should  be  restored  to  the  place  it  occupied  in  the  currency  sys- 
tems of  the  world  a  quarter  of  a  century  ago,  and  we  hail  with  delight  the 
many  signs  of  a  revolution  in  public  opinion  in  the  great  commercial  na- 
tions in  favor  of  a  restoration  of  the  bimetallic  system.  We  pledge  our 
hearty  efforts  to  secure  the  adoption  of  every  measure  for  the  complete 
restoration  of  silver  to  its  proper  place  in  our  monetary  system,  either 
through  international  agreement  or  by  such  safeguards  of  legislation  as 
shall  insure  the  maintenance  of  the  parity  of  the  two  metals,  and  the  equal 
power  of  every  dollar  at  all  times  in  the  markets  and  in  payment  of  debt; 
and  we  demand  that  all  paper  currency  shall  be  kept  at  par  and  redeem- 
able in  such  coin. 

We  declare  that  the  present  national  administration  has  acted  wisely 
and  honorably  in  permitting  the  people  of  Hawaii,  unawed  by  our  naval 
or  military  forces,  to  manage  their  own  domestic  concerns  and  to  place 
their  country  in  the  family  of  republics. 

We  heartily  indorse  the  able,  fearless  and  patriotic  administration  of 
Grover  Cleveland  and  especially  his  course  in  maintaining  law  and  order. 

We  heartily  indorse  the  wise  and  patriotic  administration  of  Governor 
Matthews,  whose  conduct  as  a  public  servant  has  called  forth  the  com- 
mendation of  the  people  of  every  state  in  the  Union  and  placed  our  state 
in  the  foremost  rank  for  good  government,  and  cordially  commend  the  ac- 
tion and  conduct  of  our  several  state  officers. 

We  remember  with  gratitude  the  patriotic  services  of  the  soldiers  and 
sailors  of  the  late  war,  and  recognize  the  fact  that,  after  the  lapse  of  thirty 
years,  by  reason  of  the  hardships,  privations  and  exposures  of  army  life, 
many  are  passing  away  and  others  becoming  more  helpless.  We  therefore 
demand  that  congress  in  the  matter  of  pensions,  shall  not  only  deal  gen- 
erously, but  bountifully  with  those  aged  veterans. 

We  also  reiterate  the  declaration  of  our  convention  in  1892,  that  the 
state  should  provide  by  liberal  appropriation  for  the  support  of  a  home 
where  our  disabled  veterans,  with  their  wives,  may  be  supported  without 
sending  them  to  almshouses. 


104  POLITICAL  PLATFORMS.  [1894 


THE  REPUBLICAN  PLATFORM,  J894. 

(The  Indianapolis  Journal,  April  26.) 

We,  the  republicans  of  Indiana,  in  delegate  convention  assembled,  re- 
affirm our  faith  in  the  progressive  principles  of  the  republican  party.  We 
believe  its  policies,  past  and  present,  best  calculated  to  promote  the  happi- 
ness and  prosperity  of  the  people. 

The  administration  of  President  Harrison  and  the  congressional  legis- 
lation of  that  period  was  wise,  pure  and  patriotic,  and  we  point  to  the 
marked  contrast  between  the  home  and  foreign  policies  of  that  adminis- 
tration and  the  present  travesty  on  government  inflicted  upon  the  Ameri- 
can people. 

We  believe  in  the  republican  doctrine  of  protection  and  reciprocity, 
which  furnishes  a  home  market  for  the  products  of  our  factories  and  our 
farms  and  protects  the  American  laborer  against  the  competition  of  the 
pauper  labor  of  Europe.  We  denounce  the  unwise  and  unpatriotic  action 
of  the  democratic  party  in  attempting  to  eliminate  the  reciprocity  principle 
from  our  tariff  system,  thereby  closing  a  large  foreign  market  to  the 
products  of  American  farms  and  depressing  agricultural  interests.  We 
denounce  the  present  attempt  of  the  Democratic  Congress  to  overthrow 
and  destroy  the  American  industrial  system,  a  course  that,  with  the  gen- 
eral fear  of  violent  readjustment  of  the  country's  business  to  a  free-trade 
basis,  has  increased  the  national  debt,  has  plunged  the  country  into  the 
most  disastrous  business  depression  of  its  history,  has  closed  large  num- 
bers of  banks  and  factories  throughout  the  country,  has  thrown  an  unprec- 
edented number  of  American  citizens  out  of  employment,  has  compelled 
thousands  of  able-bodied  and  industrious  men  to  humiliate  themselves  by 
asking  for  charity  and  has  filled  our  broad  land  with  free  soup  houses  and 
food  markets.  . 

We  believe  in  a  currency  composed  of  gold,  silver  and  paper,  readily 
convertible  at  a  fixed  standard  of  value  and  entirely  under  national  con- 
trol; and  we  favor  the  imposition  of  increased  tariff  duties  upon  the  im- 
ports from  all  foreign  countries  which  oppose  the  coinage  of  silver  upon  a 
basis  to  be  determined  by  an  international  congress  for  such  purpose.  We 
denounce  the  avowed  purpose  of  the  democratic  party  to  restore  the  era  of 
"wild-cat"  money. 

We  believe  in  a  liberal  construction  of  our  pension  laws,  and  we  con- 
demn the  unjust  policy  of  the  present  administration  in  depriving  ex- 
soldiers  of  their  pensions  without  a  hearing,  a  policy  intended  to  cast 
odium  upon  loyalty  and  patriotism.  We  believe  it  to  be  the  duty  of  the 
State  as  well  as  the  nation,  to  make  suitable  provision  for  the  care  and 
maintenance  of  all  indigent  soldiers,  and  their  wives  and  widows;  we 
therefore  favor  the  establishment  by  the  State  of  a  suitable  soldiers  home 
for  the  reception  of  such  soldiers,  their  wives  and  widows,  as  may  be  over- 
taken by  adversity. 

We  demand  a  rigid  enforcement  of  all  existing  immigration  laws  by 
the  national  government,  and  demand  such  further  legislation  as  will 
protect  our  people  and  institutions  against  the  influx  of  the  criminal  and 
vicious  classes. 


18DG}  iyi.)IAXA,  1850— WOO. 


105 


We  denounce  the  unpatriotic  action  of  the  Cleveland  administration 
in  hauling  down  'the  American  flag-  in  Hawaii,  and  condemn  the  arrogant 
assumption  of  power  displayed  in  the  effort  to  restore  a  tyrannical  Queen 
over  a  free  people,  who  had  thrown  off  the  yoke  of  despotism. 

We  condemn  the  outrageous  bargain  and  sale  of  federal  patronage  by 
the  Cleveland  administration  in  its  unblushing  efforts  to  usurp  the  pre- 
rogatives of  the  legislative  branch  of  the  government,  to  force  favorite 
measures  through  Congress  and  compel  the  confirmation  of  presidential 
appointments  by  the  Senate. 

We  condemn  the  reckless  and  extravagant  administration  of  the  finan- 
cial affairs  of  this  State,  whereby  the  people  are  subjected  to  unjust  and 
unnecessary  burdens  of  taxation,  by  an  increased  assessment  of  property 
and  an  increased  rate  of  taxation  and  by  a  multiplication  of  offices  to  be 
supported  by  the  tax-payers  of  the  State. 

We  believe  that  the  educational,  benevolent  and  correctional  institu- 
tions of  the  State  should  be  placed  under  nonpartisan  control. 

We  believe  in  such  legislation,  state  and  national,  as  will  protect  the 
lives  and  limbs  of  employes  of  railroads,  mines  and  factories. 

We  condemn  the  policy  steadily  pursued  by  the  democratic  legislatures 
of  Indiana  in  so  gerrymandering  the  State  as  to  deny  the  people  a  fair 
representation  of  their  views  in  the  State  Legislature  and  national  Con- 
gress, thus  imperiling  the  foundations  of  our  institutions. 


DEMOCRATIC  PLATFORM,  J896. 

(The  Indianapolis  Sentinel,  June  25.) 

Resolved,  That  we  reaffirm  our  adherence  to  and  faith  in  the  demo- 
cratic doctrine  of  bimetallism,  and  therefore  we  demand  the  immediate 
restoration  of  bimetallism  by  the  free  and  unrestricted  coinage  of  both 
silver  and  gold,  as  primary  money,  at  the  ratio  of  16  to  1,  without  waiting 
the  cooperation  of  Great  Britain  or  any  other  foreign  power,  all  such  coin- 
age to  be  full  legal  tender  in  the  payment  of  all  debts,  private  and  public. 

Resolved,  That  we  believe  the  existing  tariff  laws  will  be  fully  equal 
to  all  demands  for  needed  revenue  for  the  expenses  of  government  eco- 
nomically administered  under  the  conditions  which  will  arise  from  the 
restoration  of  bimetallism. 

We  are  opposed  to  the  redemption  and  final  cancellation  of  United 
States  notes  (greenbacks)  or  any  other  notes  or  certificates  issued  by  the 
United  States  to  circulate  as  money,  such  redemption  and  cancellation 
necessarily  involving  an  increase  of  the  public  debt  by  the  issue  of  bonds 
and  the  reduction  of  currency. 

We  demand  a  sufficient,  stable  volume  of  money— gold,  silver  and  paper 
—to  meet  the  requirements  of  our  ever-growing  population  and  the  con- 
stant increase  of  our  productive  interests. 

We  protest  against  the  increase  of  the  public  debt  by  the  issue  of 
interest-bearing  bonds,  or  otherwise,  in  a  time  of  peace,  and  if  the  redemp- 
tion clause  of  the  so-called  Sherman  "resumption  act"  of  1875  authorizes, 
as  is  claimed,  the  right  of  the  treasury  department  to  issue  interest-bearing 


106  POLITICAL  PLATFORMS.  [1896 

bonds  without  limit,  without  the  express  and  definite  authority  of  Con- 
gress as  to  each  issue  of  such  bonds,  we  demand  that  that  provision  of 
said  act  be  unconditionally  repealed.  The  democratic  party  has  never  be- 
lieved that  a  public  debt  is  a  public  blessing. 

We  demand  that  obligations  of  the  government,  of  every  form,  be  paid 
and  redeemed,  in  conformity  with  the  laws  under  which  they  were  issued, 
in  coin,  gold  and  silver,  at  the  option  of  the  government  of  the  United 
States,  a"nd  not  at  the  option  of  the  creditor. 

Resolved,  that  we  have  heretofore  favored  and  enforced  much  legisla- 
tion in  our  state  friendly  to  labor;  we  continue  to  support,  and  shall 
maintain  a  policy  favorable  of  organized  labor,  with  all  its  rightful  ordi- 
nances and  orders,  and  we  especially  commend  the  action  of  the  United 
States  Senate,  during  its  last  session,  in  passing  the  act  providing  trial  by 
jury  in  the  federal  courts  in  cases  of  alleged  contempt. 

That  we  demand  such  legislation  by  the  general  assembly  of  the  state 
as  shall  provide  for  a  just  and  equitable  method  of  arbitration  of  all  dis- 
putes and  controversies  arising  between  employees  and  employers. 

To  the  gallant  survivors  of  the  army  of  the  union,  to  the  widows  and 
children  of  those  deceased,  we  tender  our  steadfast  regard  and  gratitude. 
We  favor  the  prompt  adjustment,  the  punctual  and  regular  payment  of  all 
pensions  as  the  same  accrue.  We  believe  that  the  pension  is  a  vested  right. 
We  heartily  indorse  the  rule  of  Commissioner  Murphy  that  no  name  shall 
be  arbitrarily  dropped  from  the  rolls,  and  the  fact  of  enlistment  and 
service  should  be  deemed  conclusive  evidence  against  prior  disease  or 
disability. 

That  we  do  most  earnestly  sympathize  with  the  people  of  the  island 
of  Cuba  in  their  gallant  struggle  against  the  Spanish  monarchy,  for  free- 
dom and  independence.  We  believe  that  public  war  exists  in  Cuba,  and 
that  the  parties  thereto  ought  to  be  accorded  all  the  rights  of  belligerents. 

We  are  in  favor  of  the  election  of  United  States  Senators  by  direct 
vote  of  the  people  of  the  several  States. 

The  democratic  party  is  the  faithful  and  consistent  adherent  of  that 
great  principle  of  popular  government  known  as  personal  liberty  of  the 
citizen  and  oppose  intolerance  of  whatever  character,  and  especially  oppose 
any  attempt  to  control  the  habits  of  the  people  where  such  habits  are  con- 
sistent with  the  public  order  and  general  welfare. 

The  comfort  and  convenience  of  all  the  inhabitants  of  the  State  re- 
quire good  roads.  We  are,  therefore,  in  favor  of  such  legislation,  as  will 
serve  to  stimulate  the  enterprise  of  the  people  to  the  end  that  such  roads 
may  be  constructed. 

We  are  opposed  to  all  subsidies  of  land  grants  to  private  corporations, 
believing  that  the  remainder  of  the  public  domain  ought  to  be  subject  to 
entry  by  actual  settlers  only. 

Resolved,  That  this  convention  fully  and  cordially  indorses  the  course 
and  action  of  Senator  Voorhees  and  Senator  Turpie  in  the  senate  of  the 
United  States  as  having  been  at  all  times  true  and  loyal  to  the  interests 
of  our  state  and  country,  and  as  having  been  distinguished  by  signal 
ability  and  success  in  the  discharge  of  the  duties  of  their  high  position, 
and  we  tender  the  Hon.  Daniel  W.  Voorhees,  the  faithful  and  long-tried 
friend  of  the  people,  our  sincere  sympathies  in  the  severe  illness  from 
which  he  has  suffered,  with  our  heartfelt  wishes  for  his  early  and  complete 
recovery. 


1896]  INDIANA,  1850-1900.  107 

Resolved,  That  we  indorse  the  administration  of  Hon.  Claude  Mat- 
thews, governor  of  Indiana,  as  having  been  wise,  prudent  and  patriotic, 
and  that  his  practical  ability,  his  executive  genius  and  capacity  for 
public  affairs,  as  well  as  his  high  personal  integrity  and  character  and  his 
popularity  with  the*  people  all  show  him  to  be  well  worthy  of  higher 
honors. 

We  therefore  earnestly  commend  him,  in  full  confidence  of  success,  at 
the  election,  to  the  democracy  of  the  United  States  as  a  candidate  for  the 
presidency.  And  the  delegates  from  Indiana  to  the  national  convention 
are  hereby  instructed  to  cast  their  votes  in  his  favor  for  president,  first, 
last  and  all  the  time,  and  to  use  all  honorable  efforts  to  secure  his  nomina- 
tion. 

The  thirty  delegates  selected  to  represent  the  democracy  of  Indiana  in 
the  Chicago  national  convention  are  instructed  to  vote  as  a  unit  upon 
all  questions  involving  platform  or  candidates  in  that  convention. 


THE  REPUBLICAN  PLATFORM,  J896. 

(The  Indianapolis  Journal,  May  8.) 

The  republicans  of  Indiana  are  in  favor  of  protection.  We  demand  a 
tariff  that  will  not  only  secure  the  necessary  amount  of  revenue,  but  will 
also  afford  adequate  and  certain  protection  to  the  wage  workers  and  pro- 
ducers of  the  country. 

We  demand  that  American  sellers  shall  have  the  first  chance  in  Ameri- 
can markets.  From  Lincoln  to  Harrison,  under  the  wise  policy  of  pro- 
tection and  reciprocity,  we  steadily  decreased  our  bonded  debt,  re- 
sumed specie  payment,  maintained  the  public  credit,  kept  unimpaired 
the  gold  reserve,  increased  the  wealth  of  the  whole  country,  and  added 
to  the  comfort  and  happiness  of  the  people  in  a  degree  unparalleled 
in  the  history  of  nations.  The  reversal  of  this  beneficent  and  patriotic 
policy  by  the  democratic  party  has  brought  to  the  American  people  noth- 
ing but  distrust,  deficit  and  disaster.  We  therefore  demand  a  return  to 
the  sound  republican  policy  of  protection  and  reciprocity. 

We  are  firm  and  emphatic  in  our  demand  for  honest  money.  We  be- 
lieve that  our  money  should  not  be  inferior  to  the  money  of  the  most  en- 
lightened nations  of  the  earth. 

We  are  unalterably  opposed  to  every  scheme  that  threatens  to  debase 
or  depreciate  our  currency. 

We  favor  the  use  of  silver  as  currency,  but  to  the  extent  only  and  un- 
der such  regulations  that  its  parity  with  gold  can  be  maintained;  and  in 
consequence  are  opposed  to  the  free,  unlimited  and  independent  coinage  of 
silver  at  a  ratio  of  16  to  1. 

We  demand  a  rigid  enforcement  of  all  existing  immigration  laws  by 
the  national  government,  and  the  enactment  of  such  further  legislation 
as  will  the  better  protect  our  people  from  the  influx  of  the  criminal  and 
vicious  classes  of  foreign  countries. 

We  believe  in  a  liberal  construction  of  our  pension  laws,  and  condemn 
the  unjust  and  unfair  policy  of  the  present  administration  in  depriving  ex- 


103  POLITICAL  PLATFORMS.  [1898 

soldiers  of  their  pensions  without  notice  and  without  a  hearing  upon 
charges  filed  against  them. 

We  believe  it  to  be  the  duty  of  the  State  as  well  as  the  nation 
to  make  suitable  provision  for  the  care  and  maintenance  of  all  unfor- 
tunate soldiers,  their  wives  and  widows,  and  we  therefore  commend  the 
act  of  the  last  legislature  of  Indiana  providing  a  suitable  home  for  the 
reception  of  such  soldiers,  their  wives  and  widows  as  may  be  overtaken 
by  adversity. 

Believing  as  we  do,  in  a  protective  tariff,  the  leading  issue  before  the 
people,  we  favor  the  nomination  for  President  of  the  United  States  of  the 
man  who  perfectly  represents  a  protective  tariff,  and  the  cardinal  prin- 
ciples of  the  republican  party;  a  man  who  has  devoted  his  life  to  the 
defense  of  his  country  in  war  and  in  peace;  one  who,  at  seventeen,  fought 
with  Hayes  and  Crook  and  Sheridan  at  Antietam  and  in  the  Shenandoah 
in  defense  of  our  flag  against  foes  within;  and  for  fourteen  years  in  Con- 
gress contended  against  our  country's  foes  from  without,  beating  back 
British  free  trade  and  aggression  which  finally,  under  the  present  demo- 
cratic administration,  obtained  possession  of  our  markets  and  has  almost 
destroyed  our  industries;  a  man,  who,  with  the  resistless  shibboleth,  "pro- 
tection and  prosperity,"  has  challenged  the  attention  of  the  commercial 
world  and  won  the  support  of  every  patriotic  workingman  of  our  coun- 
try; whose  life  and  work,  open  as  a  book,  are  in  themselves  a  platform, 
and  whose  very  name  is  magic— that  loyal  American  citizen,  soldier,  states- 
man and  Christian  gentleman,  William  McKinley  of  Ohio;  and  the  dele- 
gates to  the  Republican  National  Convention  selected  by  this  body  are 
directed  to  cast  their  vote  for  William  McKinley  as  frequently  and  con- 
tinuously as  there  is  any  hope  for  his  nomination. 


THE  DEMOCRATIC  PLATFORM,  J898. 

(The  Indianapolis  Sentinel,  June  23.) 

We,  the  democracy  of  Indiana,  in  convention  assembled,  now,  as  al- 
ways, loyal  to  our  country  and  our  flag,  affirm  that  the  cause  for  which 
the  United  States  is  engaged  in  war  with  Spain,  is  just  and  righteous. 
We  recall  with  pride  the  early  espousal  and  united  and  persistent  support 
of  this  cause,  by  the  senators  and  representatives  of  the  democratic  party 
in  Congress.  We  congratulate  the  country  upon  the  universal  patriotic 
uprising  which  has  swept  away  the  last  vestige  of  sectionalism,  and  re- 
vealed us  to  the  world  as  a  united  people.  We  rejoice  in  the  heroic  deeds 
of  Dewey,  Bagley,  Hobson  and  their  brave  comrades  which  have  added 
new  luster  to  the  American  name.  We  demand,  now  as  heretofore,  the 
most  vigorous  prosecution  of  the  war  until  it  shall  have  ended  in  vindica- 
tion of  the  national  honor,  and  absolute  relinquishment  by  Spain  of  pos- 
session or  control  of  any  part  of  the  western  hemisphere,  and  the  formal 
acknowledgment  by  that  kingdom  of  the  independence  of  the  Cuban  re- 
public. We  favor  the  prompt  recognition  by  the  United  States  of  such 
independence  as  a  war  measure,  and  as  an  act  of  justice  to  a  brave  people, 
struggling  for  freedom.  We  urge  the  immediate  increase  of  the  volunteer 


1898]  INDIANA,  1850—1900.  }()g 

forces  of  our  army  and  navy  to  any  extent  necessary  to  assure  speedy  and 
decisive  results,  and  the  appropriation  of  all  the  funds  requisite  for  the 
adequate  equipment  and  support,  and  for  the  comfort,  of  our  gallant  sol- 
diers and  sailors  in  armed  conflict  against  the  public  enemy.  The  supreme 
duty  of  the  hour  is  to  relieve  the  perishing  victims  of  Spanish  cruelty  and 
secure  the  complete  triumph  of  the  national  arms.  When  this  shall  have 
been  accomplished  the  justice  and  wisdom  of  the  American  people  may  be 
safely  trusted  to  deal  with  all  questions  which  may  grow  out  of  existing 
complications,  in  such  a  way  as  best  promote  the  objects  for  which  this 
republic  was  founded. 

We  favor  such  a  permanent  strengthening  of  the  navy  of  the  United 
States  and  such  improvements  of  our  system  of  coast  defenses  as  shall 
assure  adequate  protection  of  the  country  against  foreign  aggression. 

The  democratic  party  of  Indiana,  now,  as  in  the  past,  advocates  liberal 
pensions  as  well  to  the  disabled  survivors  of  the  Union  army  in  the  civil 
war,  and  their  widows  and  orphans,  as  to  the  victims  in  the  present  con- 
flict, and  those  Avho  may  be  dependent  upon  them.  We  honor  alike  the 
valor  of  those  who  suffered  for  the  flag  in  the  gigantic  contest  of  1801-65, 
and  of  those  who  have  now  gone  forth  to  do  battle  in  the  cause  of  liberty 
and  humanity. 

We  are  in  favor  of  the  construction  and  control  of  the  Nicaraguan 
canal  by  this  government,  when  its  feasibility  shall  have  been  determined; 
but  we  are  opposed  to  the  loan  of  the  national  credit  to  any  private  corpo- 
ration for  that  purpose. 

We  reaffirm  and  emphasize  the  platform  adopted  by  the  National  demo- 
cratic convention  of  1800  at  Chicago.  We  are  in  favor  of  the  free  and 
unlimited  coinage  of  both  gold  and  silver  at  the  existing  ratio  of  10  to  1, 
without  the  aid  or  consent  of  any  other  nation. 

We  are  unalterably  opposed  to  the  single  gold  standard,  and  we 
especially  protest  against  the  declared  purpose  of  the  present  republican 
secretary  of  the  treasury  of  applying  that  policy  more  thoroughly.  We 
believe  that  the  practice  of  the  treasury  in  paying  treasury  notes  in  gold 
only,  in  violation  of  law,  and  in  surrendering  the  option  of  the  government, 
reserved  by  the  statute,  to  pay  in  gold  or  silver,  is  chiefly  responsible  for 
the  great  money  depression  now,  and  for  so  long  a  period,  existing  in  this 
country,  is  destructive  of  business  enterprise,  dangerous  to  the  public 
credit  and  the  prosperity  of  the  people,  and  a  serious  menace  to  the  na- 
tional honor. 

We  insist  that  the  wealth  of  the  country  should  bear  its  just  share  of 
the  public  burdens.  For  that  reason  we  approve  the  inheritance  tax 
recently  adopted  through  the  efforts  of  the  democrats  in  congress,  and  we 
favor  the  principle  and  policy  of  an  income  tax.  The  demonetization  of 
silver  and  the  judicial  denial  of  the  power  to  tax  incomes  have  materially 
impaired  our  resources  for  war  purposes.  We  favor  the  reimposition  of 
the  income  tax,  so  that  the  question  of  its  validity  may  be  reviewed  by 
the  supreme  court. 

We  earnestly  reassert  the  democratic  doctrine  that  all  tariff  taxes  shall 
be  laid  for  revenue  as  their  sole  object  and  purpose,  and  we  do  at  this  time 
especially  denounce  and  condemn  the  high  prohibitory  rates  of  the  present 
republican  tariff,  commonly  called  the  Dingley  Bill,  under  the  operation 
of  which  trusts  and  combinations  have  multiplied,  the  cost  of  the  neces- 


POLITICAL  PLATFORM*.  [1898 

saries  of  life  has  been  increased  and  the  wages  of  labor  have  not  been 
advanced,  and  which  has  entailed  upon  the  country  a  deficit  of  many  mil- 
lions to  be  made  up  only  by  additional  taxation  in  time  of  war,  thus  impos- 
ing, instead  of  a  benefit,  an  onerous  burden  upon  the  people  of  the  United 
States. 

We  reaffirm  and  emphasize  our  repeated  declarations  in  favor  of  the 
election  of  United  States  Senators  by  the  people. 

We  congratulate  the  taxpayers  of  Indiana  on  the  rapid  decrease  in  the 
state  debt,  and  beg  to  remind  them  that  the  revenues,  with  which  the  pay- 
ments thereon  have  been  made  and  are  being  made,  result  from  ihe  enforce- 
ment of  the  democratic  tax  law  of  1891,  which  was  enacted  by  a  demo- 
cratic legislature  over  republican  opposition  and  protest,  which  was  as- 
sailed by  a  republican  state  convention,  denounced  by  republican  orators 
and  the  entire  republican  press,  but  which  was  sustained  in  the  highest 
court  of  the  nation  through  the  efforts  of  a  democratic  attorney-general. 
Every  dollar  paid  on  the  state  debt  by  republican  officials  is  cumulative 
evidence  of  the  stupidity  or  worse,  of  the  republican  organizations  in  its  bit- 
ter opposition  to  the  law  which  made  such  payment  possible,  and  which, 
since  coming  into  power,  they  have  made  no  effort  to  repeal. 

We  also  recall  that  a  democratic  legislature  enacted  a  law  creating 
a  sinking  fund  of  3  cents  on  the  hundred  dollars,  to  be  applied  exclusively 
to  the  extinguishment  of^  the  state  debt,  and  that  under  these  laws  the 
democratic  administration  of  Governor  Matthews,  in  1895,  and  1896,  set 
the  pace  by  reducing  the  state  debt  more  than  two  million  dollars. 

The  democratic  party  feels  a  just  pride  in  the  other  great  legislative 
reforms  it  has  accomplished  for  the  people  of  Indiana  and  points  to  their 
continuing  benefits  as  certain  proof  of  their  wisdom.  We  call  attention 
to  the  Australian  ballot  law,  enacted  against  republican  opposition  and 
still  having  a  great  purifying  effect  on  elections,  notwithstanding  the  re- 
publican amendments  lessening  its  safeguards;  to  the  board  of  state  char- 
ities law  for  the  supervision  and  regulation  of  our  penal  and  charitable 
institutions:  to  the  school  book  law,  by  which  the  great  school  book  trust 
has  been  driven  from  the  State,  the  price  of  books  used  in  public  schools 
has  been  reduced  over  one-half  and  the  frequent  changes  in  books,  for- 
merly so  burdensome  to  the  people  and  detrimental  to  the  schools,  have 
been  prevented;  to  the  fee  and  salary  law  and  other  great  measures  of 
reform  which  the  State  of  Indiana  owes  to  the  democratic  party. 

We  call  attention  to  the  record  of  the  last  two  legislatures,  each  repub- 
lican in  both  branches,  which  made  scarcely  a  law  of  material  benefit 
to  the  people.  Both  of  these  legislatures  were  marked  by  corruption  and 
debauchery  so  scandalous  that  even  republican  organs  were  driven  to  de- 
nounce them.  They  have  to  their  credit  the  iniquitous  special  verdict  law 
—made  in  one  and  repealed  in  the  other;  the  present  legislative  gerry- 
mander, by  which  the  senate  is  given  fifty-one  members,  in  violation  of  the 
constitution;  the  anti-trust  law,  inspired  by  trust  attorneys  and  purposely 
made  so  worthless  that  republican  state  officials  dare  not  attempt  to  en- 
force it;  an  oppressive  garnishee  law,  which  undertook  to  deprive  wage- 
earners  of  the  state  of  their  constitutional  right  of  exemption;  and  the 
outrageous  partisan  measures  to  extend  the  term  of  the  appellate  judges, 
county  superintendents  and  township  trustees. 


1898]  lyDIAXA,  1850—1000. 


Ill 

We  are  earnestly  in  favor  of  legislation  for  the  regulation  and  reform 
of  primary  elections. 

We  recognize  the  existence  of  grave  defects  in  the  laws  governing 
counties  and  townships  of  this  state.  We  favor  a  complete  and  systematic 
Revision  of  such  laws  to  the  end  that  public  business  may  be  enacted  with 
greater  efficiency  and  economy. 

We  favor  such  an  amendment  of  the  truancy  law,  which  now  requires 
a  large  and  unnecessary  expenditure  of  public  moneys,  so  as  to  transfer 
the  duties  of  such  officials  to  township  trustees,  who  shall  perform  the 
same  without  further  compensation. 

We  sincerely  sympathize  with  organized  labor  in  its  efforts  to  adjust 
differences  between  the  employer  and  employe.  We  denounce  the  incor- 
porated trusts  which  have  overcome  these  efforts  by  cruel  and  unjust 
methods  and  we  favor  a  system  of  equal  and  disinterested  arbitration  as 
a  means  of  adjustment  of  such  differences. 

We  take  pride  in  the  long  list  of  laws  enacted  by  democratic  legisla- 
tures for  the  benefit  of  the  workingmen  of  the  State,  including  the  eight- 
hour  labor  law,  the  law  prohibiting  "pluck-me-stores,"  the  repeal  of  the 
infamous  republican  intimidation  laws,  the  law  prohibiting  the  importa- 
tion of  Pinkertons,  the  law  prohibiting  "blacklisting,"  the  miners'  law 
providing  for  the  proper  ventilation  of  mines  and  the  use  of  honest  weights 
and  screens;  the  law  protecting  workingmen  in  the  right  to  organize  for 
mutual  defense;  the  co-employes'  liability  law;  the  mechanics'  lien  law; 
the  law  prohibiting  the  forced  collection  of  fees  from  employes  of  railroad 
corporations  to  sustain  company  hospitals,  restaurants,  etc.;  the  law  guar- 
anteeing the  civil  rights  of  all  citizens,  and  the  law  prohibiting  the  im- 
portation of  paupers  and  aliens  under  contract  into  the  state  who  have 
no  purpose  of  becoming  citizens  thereof. 

We  demand  a  more  thorough  enforcement  of  the  eight-hour  and  other 
laws  in  the  interest  of  labor  by  the  public  officials  charged  with  that  duty. 

We  are  opposed  to  the  contract  labor  system  in  prison,  but  we  believe 
that  to  maintain  convicts  in  idleness  is  inhuman  and  unjustly  burdensome 
to  the  people.  We  believe  some  plan  should  be  devised  for  the  profitable 
utilization  of  their  labor  without  bringing  it  into  competition  with  free 
labor.  The  projects  for  its  employment  under  the  public  account  system, 
or  in  the  construction  of  a  ship  canal  connecting  Lake  Michigan  with  the 
Wabash  River,  or  in  some  other  enterprise  of  great  public  utility  should  be 
carefully  considered  and  that  plan  which  promises  the  best  results  and  is 
open  to  the  feAvest  objections  should  be  adopted  by  the  next  legislature. 

We  approve  the  child  labor  and  factory  inspection  law,  and  favor  such 
amendments  to  same  as  shall  render  it  more  effective. 

We  adhere  firmly  to  the  teachings  and  practice  of  the  democratic  party 
in  favor  of  the  largest  measure  of  personal  liberty  consistent  with  public 
security  and  social  order.  We  are  opposed  to  all  projects  of  legislative 
interference  with,  or  regulation  of,  matters  which  lie  withjn  the  domain 
of  individual  judgment  and  conscience. 

We  express  our  undiminished  confidence  in  William  Jennings  Bryan, 
our  peerless  leader  in  the  national  campaign  of  1896,  and  we  note  with 
much  gratification  his  patriotic  course  in  leading  to  the  defense  of  his 
country  a  regiment  of  citizen  soldiers. 


I'OJJTICAL  PLATFORMS.  [1898 

We  indorse  the  record  of  our  distinguished  Senator,  the  Hon.  David 
Turpie,  who  by  his  able  and  eloquent  championship  of  democratic  prin- 
ciples and  measures,  his  sturdy  devotion  to  the  interests  of  the  people,  his 
uncompromising  warfare  upon  extravagance  and  jobbery,  his  advocacy 
of  great  reforms  such  as  the  popular  election  of  United  States  senators, 
and  his  Avarm  espousal  of  the  cause  of  Cuban  independence,  has  justified 
the  confidence  which  the  Indiana  democracy  has  reposed  in  him. 

Whereas,  since  the  meeting  of  the  last  state  convention  we  have  suf- 
fered an  irreparable  loss  in  the  death  of  the  Hon.  Daniel  W.  Yoorhees. 
late  a  senator  of  the  United  States,  one  who  has  faithfully  served  the  peo- 
ple, the  state  and  the  country,  for  many  years  in  the  highest  official  sta- 
tion, we  deplore,  with  profound  sorrow,  his  departure  from  the  scene  of 
his  great  achievements,  and  shall  always  cherish  his  memory  with  the 
most  sincere  regard,  reverence  and  admiration. 


THE  REPUBLICAN  PLATFORM,  f898. 

(The  Indianapolis  Journal,  August  4.) 

The  republicans  of  Indiana,  in  state  convention  assembled,  congratu- 
late the  nation  at  large  on  its  return  to  republican  rule,  which  furnishes 
a  sure  guaranty  of  stability  and  prosperity  to  all  our  institutions,  and  a 
comparison  that  gives  little  hope  of  a  return  to  power  of  the  party  of 
calamity  and  distress.  While  we  sincerely  deplore  the  necessity  of  war, 
we  believe  the  President  and  Congress  acted  wisely  in  demanding  the  com- 
plete withdrawal  of  Spanish  sovereignty  over  the  island  of  Cuba  and  in 
proceeding  to  enforce  and  demand  with  the  military  and  naval  power  of 
the  government.  And  nowr  that  our  army  and  navy,  through  their  splendid 
achievements,  have  blest  our  Nation  with  triumphs  not  excelled  in  the 
world's  history,  rendering  many  names  illustrious  and  immortal,  and  add- 
ing prestige  and  glory,  limited  only  by  civilization,  to  our  great  Republic, 
the  occasion  is  one  of  supreme  gratitude  to  the  great  ruler  of  nations.  We 
extend  to  the  brave  men  on  land  and  sea  who  have  gone  forth  to  battle  for 
the  glory  of  our  flag  and  the  cause  of  human  liberty  our  deepest  sympathy 
on  account  of  the  sacrifices  they  have  made  and  the  hardships  they  are 
called  upon  to  endure,  and  our  warmest  praise  for  their  unconquerable 
valor. 

We  honor,  congratulate  and  applaud  our  country's  heroes  who  have 
once  more  proved  the  match-less  intelligence,  devotion  and  courage  of 
American  manhood.  They  have  proved  to  the  Avorld  that  the  United 
States  is  a  nation,  bne  and  indivisible,  without  sections  and  without 
classes,  whose  purpose  is  "to  deal  justly,  love  mercy  and  walk  humbly 
before  God." 

We  felicitate  the  country  on  the  fact,  when  in  the  exigencies  of  war 
it  became  necessary  to  issue  $200,000,000  of  government  bonds  to  meet  the 
extraordinary  expenditures,  a  republican  administration  had  the  good 
sense  and  wisdom  to  put  the  loan  within  the  easy  reach  of  the  people, 
where  it  has  been  wholly  absorbed,  furnishing  a  splendid  security  for  their 


1898]  INDIANA,  1850-1MQ.  113 

savings,  awakening  a  new  interest  in  the  permanency  of  our  government 
and  the  soundness  of  its  financial  system. 

We  most  cordially  approve  the  administration  of  President  McKinley. 
He  has  met  the  unusually  grave  and  difficult  questions  which  have  arisen, 
since  his  incumbency  of  the  presidential  office  in  a  manner  so  wise  and 
patriotic  as  to  challenge  the  admiration  of  all  parties  at  home,  and  to  win 
the  approval  of  the  best  people  throughout  the  civilized  world.  We  espe- 
cially commend  his  conservative  and  patriotic  course  in  earnestly  hoping 
and  negotiating  for  peace  while  yet  prudently  preparing  for  war.  And  we 
further  express  our  most  earnest  approval  of  his  vigorous  prosecution  of 
the  war,  and  our  entire  confidence  in  his  ability  to  secure  such  terms  of 
peace,  now  happily  near  at  hand,  as  will  advance  human  liberty,  and  com- 
port with  the  dignity  and  honor  of  the  American  people. 

The  republicans  of  Indiana  are  unreservedly  for  sound  money,  and  are 
therefore  opposed  to  the  heresy  to  which  the  democratic  party  is  wedded, 
of  the  free  and  unlimited  coinage  of  both  gold  and  silver  at  the  ratio  of 
10  to  1,  which  Ave  regard  as  absolutely  sure  to  debase  our  money  and  de- 
stroy our  private  and  public  credit,  and  cause  general  business  dis- 
aster. We  recognize  the  necessity  of  comprehensive  and  enlightened 
monetary  legislation,  and  believe  that  the  declaration  in  the  St.  Louis 
National  Republican  platform  for  the  maintenance  of  the  gold  stand- 
ard and  the  parity  of  all  our  forms  of  money  should  be  given  the 
vitality  of  public  law  and  the  money  of  the  American  people  should  be 
made,  like  all  its  institutions,  the  best  in  the  world. 

We  especially  commend  the  President  and  Congress  for  the  prompt 
passage  of  a  wise  revenue  lawr  in  accordance  with  the  sound  republican 
doctrine  of  reciprocity  and  protection  to  American  industries  and  home 
labor,  and  express  our  unbounded  confidence  in  the  beneficial  results  pre- 
dicted for  this  measure  by  our  party  leaders,  evidences  of  which  are 
daily  accumulating  in  the  way  of  renewed  business  prosperity  and  ample 
revenue  for  ordinary  governmental  expenditures.  We,  therefore,  reaffirm 
our  belief  in  the  doctrine  of  reciprocity  and  protection  to  American  labor 
and  home  industries,  and  condemn  the  democratic  doctrine  of  tariff  for 
revenue  only  as  unsound  and  unsuited  to  the  best  interests  of  the  coun- 
try, a  doctrine  whose  falsity  which  has  been  demonstrated  by  our  experi- 
ence under  the  Wilson  revenue  bill  that  plunged  the  Nation  into  commer- 
cial and  financial  distress,  from  which  it  is  fast  recovering  since  the 
change  from  that  democratic  policy. 

We  hold  in  undying  honor  the  soldiers  and  sailors  whose  valor  saved 
the  life  of  the  Nation,  and  those  who  were  but  recently  called  to  arms  in 
vindication  of  their  country's  honor  and  the  cause  of  human  liberty. 
Just  and  liberal  pensions  to  all  deserving  soldiers  are  a  sacred  debt  of  the 
Nation,  and  the  widows  and  orphans  of  those  who  are  dead  are  entitled 
to  the  care  of  a  generous  and  grateful  people. 

Having  achieved  its  manhood,  the  Republic,  under  God,  is  entering 
upon  its  greatest  period  of  power,  happiness  and  responsibility.  Realizing 
the  mighty  future  of  wealth,  prosperity  and  duty  which  is  even  now  upon 
us,  we  favor  the  extension  of  American  trade,  the  reformation  of  our  con- 
sular system  accordingly,  the  encouragement  by  all  legitimate  means  of 
the  American  merchant  marine,  the  creation  of  a  navy  as  powerful  as 
our  commerce  shall  be  extensive  and  for  the  public  defense  and  security, 

8— Platforms. 


POLITICAL  PLATFORMS.  [1898 

and  the  establishment  of  coaling  stations  and  naval  rendezvous  wherever 
necessary. 

We  most  heartily  approve  of  the  annexation  of  the  Hawaiian  islands 
as  a  wise  measure.  We  recommend  the  early  construction  of  the  Nica- 
raguan  canal  under  the  immediate  direction  and  exclusive  control  of  the 
United  States  government— the  importance  and  necessity  of  the  canal  hav- 
ing been  emphasized  by  recent  events  connected  with  the  present  war  with 
Spain. 

We  favor  the  enactment  and  enforcement  of  laws  restricting  and  pre- 
venting the  immigration  of  such  undersirable  foreign  population  as  is 
prejudicial  to  free  American  labor. 

We  indorse  the  record  of  Senator  Fairbanks,  who  has  by  his  wise  and 
patriotic  counsel  and  courageous  ability  aided  the  President  and  served  his 
country  with  marked  distinction  and  great  honor  to  our  State. 

We  commend  and  congratulate  the  republican  congressional  delegation 
upon  the  high  standard  of  ability  manifested  by  them  and  the  conspicu- 
ous station  they  have  taken  in  national  legislation. 

We  commend  the  administration  of  Governor  Mount  and  the  republican 
state  officials,  under  which,  with  a  reduction  of  25  per  centum  in  the  state 
tax  rate  within  the  last  eighteen  months,  $920,000  of  the  state  debt  has 
been  discharged;  an  army  of  over  seven  thousand  men  has  been  equipped 
and  placed  in  the  field  at  an  expense  of  over  $200,000;  the  laws  have  been 
enforced  and  the  name  of  Indiana  honored  throughout  the  land. 

In  1895-97,  the  first  time  since  1883,  owing  to  the  vicious  system  of 
enacting  apportionment  laws,  whereby  the  minority  might  still  control 
the  majority,  the  republican  party  found  itself  in  condition  to  legislate 
for  the  state,  and  the  laws  that  it  wisely  enacted  and  the  other  measures 
which  it  still  more  wisely  refused  to  pass,  constitute  an  epoch  in  legisla- 
tion that  is  an  enduring  monument  to  the  faithfulness  and  intelligence 
of  the  party  which  the  Fifty-ninth  and  Sixtieth  General  Assemblies  repre- 
sented. Among  the  many  wise  and  just  measures  of  legislation  that  stand 
upon  the  statute  books  as  the  result  of  the  labors  of  those  two  General 
Assemblies,  are  the  acts  creating  a  labor  commission;  providing  means 
for  the  settlement  of  disputes  between  employers  and  employes  by  arbitra- 
tion; abolishing  the  prison-contract  system;  taking  convict  labor  out  of 
competition  with  free  labor;  providing  for  factory  inspection  and  the  pro- 
tection of  the  lives  and  health  of  operatives  and  prohibiting  the  employ- 
ment of  child  labor;  providing  safeguards  in  the  auditing  of  public  expendi- 
tures; complying  with  the  constitutional  mandate  that  the  penal  code 
should  be  founded  on  principles  of  reformation  and  not  of  vindictive  jus- 
tice; providing  for  the  protection  of  the  people  against  incompetent  and 
inefficient  professional  men;  making  permanent  in  county  and  extending 
to  State  officials  the  provision  that  officers  shall  be  paid  according  to  their 
services,  and  not  constitute  a  burden  upon  the  people  by  reason  of  exces- 
sive fees  and  salaries;  the  taking  of  the  benevolent  institutions  out  of  the 
purview  of  partisan  politics,  whereby  the  poor  and  unfortunate  wards 
of  the  State  are  assured  competent  and  humane  treatment;  and,  above  all, 
the  enactment  of  an  honest,  fair  and  constitutional  apportionment  law. 
These  acts  emphasize  and  illustrate  the  intelligence  and  integrity  of  the 
Fifty-ninth  and  Sixtieth  General  Assemblies,  and  we  congratulate  the  re- 
publican party  and  the  people  of  the  State  upon  their  action. 


1900]  INDIANA,  1850-1900. 

Believing  that  there  is  need  of  reform  in  county  and  township  gov- 
ernment, and  that  a  vast  saving  of  the  public  money  can  be  made  by  bet- 
ter methods,  we  favor  early  and  thorough  revision  of  the  laws  upon  this 
subject,  to  the  end  that  the  people  of  Indiana  may  have  the  best  and  most 
economical  management  of  local  affairs. 

We  favor,  as  a  supplement  to  our  present  election  law,  the  enactment 
by  the  next  Legislature  of  such  a  primary  election  law  as  will  secure  to 
the  people  a  full  and  free  expression  in  the  selection  of  their  candidates  for 
office. 


THE  DEMOCRATIC  PLATFORM,  J9(XX 

(The  Indianapolis  Sentinel,  June  7.) 

We,  the  democrats  of  Indiana,  in  convention  assembled,  reaffirm  our 
allegiance  to  the  principles  of  liberty  and  justice  which  the  democratic 
party  has  advocated  from  the  time  of  Jefferson. 

We  reaffirm  and  pledge  our  allegiance  to  the  principles  of  the  declara- 
tion of  Independence,  and  acknowledge  our  debt  of  gratitude  to  Thomas 
Jefferson,  the  author  of  that  charter  of  human  rights. 

We  reaffirm  our  allegiance  to  the  principles  of  the  constitution  of  the 
United  States,  and  declare  our  veneration  for  the  wise  and  far-sighted 
patriots  who  instituted  its  beneficent  provisions,  not  only  for  themselves, 
but  for  the  welfare  of  the  people  for  all  time. 

We  reaffirm  and  pledge  our  allegiance  to  the  principles  of  the  Chicago 
platform  of  189<>,  and  commend  its  distinguished  exponent,  William  Jen- 
nings Bryan,  to  the  people  of  the  United  States  as  an  able  statesman, 
a  sincere  patriot  and  an  honest  man,  who  can  safely  be  trusted  to  stand  at 
all  times  for  the  people  and  against  their  foes  at  home  and  abroad. 

And  we  instruct  the  delegates  selected  by  this  convention  to  cast  their 
votes  for  him  at  the  democratic  national  convention  to  be  held  at  Kansas 
City. 

It  is  of  vital  importance  at  this  time  that  the  people  should  restore  the 
fundamental  principles  of  their  government  to  their  original  force. 

We  are  already  far  advanced  in  the  policy  of  arbitrary  rule,  which  has 
caused  an  encroachment  on  the  rights  of  the  people  at  home  and  on  liberty 
abroad,  and  a  subversion  of  popular  government. 

It  is  the  history  of  the  human  race  that  every  nation  which  has  sought 
to  extend  its  power  by  destroying  the  liberty  of  others  has,  in  the  end, 
destroyed  the  liberty  of  its  own  people.  No  people  can  exist  part  free 
and  part  slave,  part  citizen  and  part  subject,  part  republic  and  part  empire. 

We  submit  the  corrupting  influence  of  colonial  domain  has  already 
brought  disgrace  upon  the  republic;  that  usurped  and  dictatorial  power 
has  already  readied  the  danger  line.  The  constitution  and  the  plighted 
faith  of  the  republic  have  been  violated  in  Porto  Rican  legislation,  for  the 
purpose  of  asserting  power  to  rule  without  regard  to  law,  duty,  or  right 
principle.  Independence  is  withheld  from  the  Cubans  in  defiance. of  law 
and  national  promises.  Slavery  is  recognized  and  protected  in  Sulu,  and 
involuntary  servitude  in  Hawaii  in  violation  of  the  Constitution. 


POLITICAL  PLATFORMS.  [1900 

We  condemn  the  extravagances  of  the  present  administration,  the  vio- 
lation of  the  civil  service,  the  fraudulent  army  contracts,  the  payment  of 
double  salaries  to  military  officers,  the  spoliation  of  the  people  of  Cuba, 
and  the  favor  and  protection  shown  partisans,  speculators  and  corrupt 
officials  in  their  dealings  with  the  government. 

We  demand  an  honest  and  economical  administration  of  national 
affairs,  the  repeal  of  the  stamp  tax,  and  such  constitutional  amendments 
as  will  enable  congress  to  levy  a  graduated  income  tax  and  provide  for 
the  election  of  United  States  Senators  by  a  direct  vote  of  the  people. 

We  are  opposed  to  a  large  standing  army.  Military  rule  should  find 
no  place  under  a  republic,  and  we  condemn  it,  whether  used  to  administer 
government  in  Cuba  or  to  crush  liberty  in  the  Philippines. 

Domestic  order  is  best  conserved  by  the  civil  authorities,  and  in  time 
of  war  the  safety  and  honor  of  the  republic  can  be  intrusted  to  its 
volunteers. 

We  extend  our  sympathy  to  the  people  of  the  Transvaal  and  the 
Orange  Free  State  in  their  heroic  effort  to  maintain  their  liberty  and  inde- 
pendence. 

We  demand  the  strict  enforcement  of  the  Monroe  Doctrine,  and  the 
construction  of  the  Nicaraguan  canal,  and  we  denounce  the  Hay-Paunce- 
fote  treaty  as  an  abject  surrender  at  English  dictation  of  the  right  of  the 
republic  to  fortify  and  in  time  of  war  to  control  the  Nicaraguan  canal. 

We  call  attention  to  the  reform  legislation  which  the  democratic  party 
has  given  the  people  of  this  state,  the  school  book  law,  the  tax  laws,  the 
Australian  ballot,  the  fee  and  salary  reform,  and  the  many  statutes  for 
the  protection  of  labor. 

The  republican  party  is  now  hypocritically  claiming  credit  for  the  re- 
duction in  our  state  debt,  made  possible  by  the  democratic  tax  laAv,  the 
enactment  of  which  it  opposed. 

It  has  mutilated  the  Australian  ballot  law  and  repealed  the  statute 
making  the  bribery  of  voters  a  penal  offense.  In  four  years  of  absolute 
control  of  state  affairs  it  has  failed  to  pass  any  effectual  legislation  against 
monopolies  or  trusts,  but  has  uniformly  defeated  all  effort  to  enact  anti- 
trust laws. 

We  pledge  ourselves  to  an  economical  administration  of  state  affairs, 
the  non-partisan  management  of  the  state  institutions,  the  continuation  of 
the  reform  work  begun  by  the  democratic  party  and  the  enactment  and 
enforcement  of  state  legislation  against  trusts. 

We  call  attention  to  the  extraordinary  concentration  of  wealth  and  the 
alarming  growth  of  monopoly  during  the  McKinley  administration;  the 
arbitrary  regulation  of  markets;  the  increased  cost  of  living;  the  loss  of 
industrial  independence;  the  despotic  power  of  employment  and  discharge 
of  American  labor,  now,  concentrating  in  a  few  hands;  the  activity  of  these 
monopolies  in  politics;  their  increasing  influence  in  the  enactment  and  en- 
forcement of  the  laws,  and  the  unconcern  or  real  favors  with  which  these 
things  are  regarded  by  the  republican  leaders.  Relief  can  not  be  expected 
so  long  as  the  friends  of  trusts  remain  in  office.  The  democratic  party,  free 
from  their  influence,  and  not  embarrassed  by  their  favors,  pledges  its  rep- 
resentatives in  office  to  the  positive  enactment  and  enforcement  of  anti- 
trust legislation. 


1000]  INDIANA,  1850—1900. 

We  are  opposed  to  a  protective  tariff,  and  condemn  the  Dingley  law 
as  the  culminating-  atrocity  of  the  protective  policy.  It  is  unjustifiable  in 
principle,  and  pernicious  in  practice,  and  has  contributed  to  the  develop- 
ment and  fostering  of  trusts,  which  have  been  maintained  under  that  law 
at  their  highest  point.  The  menace  of  monoply  at  this  time  is  most  pro- 
nounced, and  no  sincere  effort  has  been  made  by  the  republican  party, 
now  in  full  control  of  the  government,  to  strike  a  blow  at  the  trust  out- 
rage. 

We  therefore  demand  the  removal  of  all  tariff  from  articles  made  or 
controlled  by  a  trust  and  that  no  tariff  be  levied  for  other  purpose  than 
revenue. 

We  renew  our  thanks  and  grateful  acknowledgment  to  the  soldiers 
and  sailors  who  fought  in  the  war  for  the  union,  the  Mexican  war,  the  war 
with  Spain  and  in  the  Philippines. 

We  protest  against  the  policy  of  the  republican  administration,  which 
has,  in  many  instances,  needlessly  embarrassed  the  adjustment  and  denied 
the  consideration  of  claims  for  pensions  on  account  of  disabilities,  wounds 
and  death  incurred  in  the  military  and  naval  service,  and  demand  an  im- 
mediate and  just  adjudication  of  such  claims  now  so  long  postponed.  And 
we  concur  in  the  criticism  of  the  present  administration  of  the  pension 
department.  We,  therefore,  call  on  all  men  who  love  their  country  and  its 
institutions,  who  hold  popular  government  better  than  absolute  rule,  who 
realize  that  self-government  can  be  preserved  only  by  constant  adherence 
to  constitutional  safeguards,  who  oppose  special  legislation,  and  believe 
that  all  should  stand  equal  before  the  law,  and  that  the  flag  should  not  be 
a  symbol  of  subjugation  and  wrong,  but  of  freedom  and  right,  and  that 
this  republic  should  be  a  guarantee  of  equality  and  equity  at  home,  and 
of  honor  and  justice  abroad,  to  unite  with  us  in  the  vindication  of  these 
principles. 

Resolved,  That  the  figure  or  device  to  be  used  on  the  ballot  to  desig- 
nate the  candidates  of  this  convention  and  for  the  democratic  candidates 
in  all  the  elections  throughout  the  state,  shall  be  the  "rooster"  in  the 
attitude  of  crowing. 


ng  POLITICAL  PLATFORMS.  [1900 


THE  REPUBLICAN  PLATFORM,  J900. 

(The  Indianapolis  Journal,  April  26.) 

The  republicans  of  Indiana  in  state  convention  assembled  at  the  city 
of  Indianapolis  adopt  and  proclaim  the  following  declaration  of  principles: 

We  emphatically  indorse  the  wise  and  patriotic  administration  of  Pres- 
ident McKinley.  In  the  whole  history  of  this  country  there  has  been  no 
period  so  distinctively  marked  by  prosperity  and  progress  as  that  of  this 
splendid  republican  administration.  It  furnishes  a  most  practical  illustra- 
tion of  the  difference  between  a  party  of  capacity  and  one  of  incapacity. 
Under  its  policies  the  country  has  passed  from  extreme  depression  to  un- 
paralleled prosperity.  Party  pledges  have  been  scrupulously  kept;  the  dig- 
nity and  honor  of  the  nation  maintained  everywhere;  the  dangers  and  per- 
plexities of  a  great  foreign  war  successfully  met;  the  glory  of  the  flag 
augmented;  imperishable  fame  added  to  our  army  and  navy;  the  public 
credit  strengthened  until  the  nation's  bonds,  bearing  a  lower  rate  of  inter- 
est than  any  like  securities  in  the  world,  command  a  premium  in  the  mar- 
ket; new  opportunities  to  labor  created;  additional  markets  opened  to  our 
surplus  products  of  every  kind,  taxing  production  to  its  utmost  capacity  to 
meet  consumption  and  demand;  Spanish  cruelty  and  oppression  forever 
banished  from  this  hemisphere  and  the  Philippine  islands;  the  open  door 
policy  in  China  secured  to  all  the  commercial  nations  of  the  world  through 
American  diplomacy;  and  a  more  fraternal  feeling  inculcated  between  the 
North  and  South.  We  offer  this  partial  review  of  magnificent  achieve- 
inents  of  the  administration  of  William  McKinley  as  a  warrant  for  its 
continuance  in  power.  And  we  pledge  the  hearty  support  of  the  repub- 
lican party  in  Indiana  to  his  renomination  and  re-election,  as  a  just  and 
well  deserved  reward  for  his  splendid  services  to  the  nation. 
.  Indiana  has  been  well  and  faithfully  represented  in  Congress  and  we 
point  with  special  pride  to  and  congratulate  our  senators  and  republican 
representatives  in  Congress  upon  their  distinguished  ability  and  the  con- 
spicuous part  they  have  taken  in  shaping  national  legislation,  thereby  add- 
ing to  the  prestige  of  this  great  State. 

1.  We  mourn  the  death  of  Garrett  A.  Hobart,  Vice-President  of  the 
United  States,  a  statesman  of  exalted  character,  of  upright  purpose,  and  of 
great  usefulness  to  the  country. 

With  reverence  we  refer  to  the  absence  from  this  convention  of  that 
"grand  old  man,"  Col.  Richard  W.  Thompson,  whom  we  all  loved,  and 
whose  memory  is  firmly  enshrined  in  our  hearts.  Stilled  is  that  voice, 
which  for  more  than  half  a  century,  gave  utterance  to  republican  wisdom 
and  eloquence;  at  rest  is  that  silvered  head,  which  was  as  inspiring  as  were 
the  white  plumes  of  Henry  of  Navarre. 

In  the  death  of  Major  General  Henry  W.  Lawton,  Indiana's  famous 
fighter,  we  recognize  the  pathetic  yet  glorious  ending  of  a  soldierly  career, 
full  of  years  and  honors,  leaving  to  a  devoted  wife  and  loving  children 
the  richest  heritage  any  man  can  bestow.  He  laid  down  his  life  where  any 
hero-soldier  might  well  choose  to  die— under  the  folds  of  the  flag,  on  the 
firing  line,  at  the  battle's  front. 


1900]  INDIANA,  1850—1900. 

2.  The  conflict  with  Spain  was  begun  and  carried  on  from  humane 
and   disinterested   motives.    The   possession   of  the  islands   which   came 
to  our  hands  as  a  result  of  that  war  was  a  consequence  of  it  not  foreseen, 
but  which  could  not  be  avoided  with  honor  and  safety.    We  can  not  escape- 
the  responsibility  resting  upon  us.    Our  first  duty  is  to  establish  the  au- 
thority of  the  United  States  against  armed  resistance;  then  to  replace  mili- 
tary by  civil  administration.    The  guiding  principle  of  our  conduct  in  deal- 
ing with  the  people  of  these  islands  should  be  to  promote  their  highest 
welfare,  and  we  pledge  the  largest  possible  freedom  of  control  in  their 
affairs,  as  their  ability  for  self-government  shall  be  developed,  and  to  use 
all  proper  means  to  advance  their  civilization  and  enlightenment. 

3.  We  unhesitatingly  approve  and  indorse  the  policy  and  course  of 
the  administration  and  the  legislation  by  Congress  in  respect  to  our  newly 
acquired  possessions  and  express  full  confidence  in  the  wisdom,  integrity 
and  ability  of  the  administration  supported  by  a  republican  Congress,  to 
deal  wisely  and  justly  with  the  questions  concerning  the  same,  as  they 
may  arise. 

4.  The  employment  of  the  people  is  the  contentment  of  the  people. 
The  greatest  benefaction  to  man  is  the  opportunity  to  labor.    Our  best 
hope  for  the  continued  employment  of  labor  lies  in  the  domination  of  the 
world's  markets  by  American  agricultural  and  mechanical  products.    Low 
interest  rates  are  potent  factors  in  the  extension  of  American  commerce 
and  industry  at  home  and  abroad.    The  wise  financial  legislation  of  the 
republican  party  has  largely  secured  these  results.    We,  therefore,  con- 
gratulate the  American  people  in  that  the  republican  party  has  kept  its 
beneficent  pledge  for  the  maintenance  of  the  gold  standard  and  the  parity 
of  all  our  forms  of  money  by  comprehensive,  courageous  legislation.    The 
republican  party  has  always  stood  and  now  stands  for  money  laws  that 
benefit  all  our  people  alike,  without  preference  of  one  over  another,  the 
borrower  as  well  as  the  lender,  and  such  as  equalize  and  lower  the  rates  of 
interest  throughout  the  country.    And  to  this  end  we  favor  legislation 
authorizing  elasticity  in  our  bank  currency  for  the  benefit  of  our  producers, 
the  laborer,  the  farmer  and  the  manufacturer,  and  for  the  general  com- 
merce of  our  people,  under  the  guidance  and  control  of  the  secretary  of  the 
treasury. 

5.  Combinations  of  capital  having  as  their  object  or  effect  the  con- 
trol of  the  production  of  commodities,  or  the  markets  thereof,  are  hurt- 
ful and  injurious  to  the  best  interests  of  the  people.    This  evil  should  be 
overthrown  without  injury  to  honest  trade.    We,  therefore,  favor  such 
additional  legislation,  both  State  and  National,  as  shall  establish  the  com- 
plete legal  control  over  all  trusts  and  monopolies,  with  full  power  to  dis- 
solve the  same,  and  mete  proper  punishment  to  all  who  thus  seek  to  de- 
stroy honest  competition  and  prevent  the  widest  possible  employment  to 
labor. 

6.  We  reaffirm  our  belief  in  the  doctrine  of  reciprocity  and  protection 
to  American  labor  and  home  industries  and  point  to  the  beneficial  results 
which  have  come  from  the  enactment  of  the  Dingley  law.    It  will  be  the 
care  of  the  republican  party  to  maintain  the  law  in  harmony  with  chang- 
ing conditions  from  time  to  time;  so  that  it  shall  at  all  times  subserve  the 
purpose  of  protection  to  the  interests  of  labor  and  production. 


£20  POLITICAL  PLATFORM*.  [1900 

7.  We  recognize  a  debt  of  gratitude  to  the  soldiers  and  sailors  of  the 
late  Avar  with  Spain  and  in  the  Philippine  islands;  and  we  tender  to  those 
QOW  iii  the  field  our  fullest  confidence,  sympathy  and  support.    Just  and 
liberal  pensions  to  all  deserving  soldiers  and  sailors  are  a  debt  of  the 
nation;  and  the  widows  and  orphans  of  those  who  are  dead  are  entitled 
to  the  care  of  a  generous  and  grateful  people. 

8.  We  again  recommend  the  early  construction  of  the  Nicaraguan 
canal  under  the  immediate  direction  and  exclusive  control  of  the  United 
States  government. 

9.  We  favor  the  enactment  and  enforcement  of  laws  restricting  and 
preventing  the  importation  of  such  undesirable  foreign  population  as  is 
prejudicial  to  free  American  labor. 

10.  We  indorse  the  clean  and  able  administration  of  Governor  James 
A.   Mount  in  the  intelligent,   honorable  and  economical  management  of 
state  affairs.    We  congratulate  the  people  of  Indiana  upon  the  emanci- 
pation of  the  penal  and  benevolent  institutions  from  partisan  control  and 
the  provision  through   ample  appropriation  by  the  last  legislature,   for 
new  buildings  and  appropriate  maintenance  to  accommodate  the  unfor- 
tunate wards    of    the  State — many  of  whom    have   been  compelled  to  be 
quartered  in  county  almshouses.    The  penal  and  reformatory  institutions 
are  now  conducted  on  humanitarian  lines.    The  benevolent  institutions 
of  the  State  are  an  honor  to  her  citizenship.    The  dependent  soldier's 
and  sailor's  orphan  has  a  home  and  is  fitted  for  the  practical  duties  of 
life;  the  State  Soldiers'  Home  at  Lafayette  is  the  creature  of  republican 
legislation  and  is  being  so  provided  for  that  the  Union  veteran  and  his 
wife,  in  the  days  of  their  need,  can  find  a  haven  of  comfort  and  care. 

11.  The   State's   finances   are   carefully   and   economically    managed. 
The  state  debt  is  being  rapidly  canceled.    The  growing  demands  of  all  our 
penal  and  benevolent  institutions  have  been  met.    The  State  tax  levy  has 
been  reduced  and  with  a  continuance  of  republican  administration  we 
pledge  that  the  State  will  shortly  be  free  from  debt  and  the  people  enjoy 
the  blessings  resulting  from  a  prudent,  economical  and  conservative  gov- 
ernment of  her  affairs.    Since  the  republican  party  took  charge  of  the 
fiscal  affairs  in  this  State  not  only  have  increased  and  necessary  accommo- 
dations for  the  wards  of  the  State  been  provided,  but,  at  the  same  time, 
the  State  debt  has  been  decreased  in  the  sum  of  $2,515,000  and  an  interest 
saving  of  $78,600  per  annum  has  been  effected. 

12.  We  congratulate  the  people  upon  the  fulfillment  of  the  pledge  of 
the  republican  party  for  reform   in   county   and  township  government, 
whereby  in  the  first  year  of  the  operation  of  the  reform  laws  over  $1,000,- 
000  will  be  saved  to  the  tax-payers  of  the  State,   and  we  favor  such 
amendments  thereto  as  experience  has  taught  are  necessary  to  harmonize 
with  other  existing  legislation  in  order  to  increase  their  efficiency.    We  also 
favor  such  legislation  as  will  insure  greater  economy  and  more  efficient 
methods  in  municipal  government. 

13.  The  republican  party  pledges  itself  to  do  all  in  its  power  to  bring 
about  the  adoption  of  an  adequate  primary  election  law. 

14.  The  wisdom  of  the  establishment  of  a  labor  commission  by  the  pres- 
ent state  administration  has  been  abundantly  verified.    Vast  good  in  behalf 
of  the  public  weal  has  resulted  from  the  substitution  of  rational  arbitra- 


1900]  INDIANA,  1860—1900. 

tion  for  acrimonious  contention  in  the  settlement  of  differences  between 
employers  and  employes,  thus  infinitely  bettering  conditions  in  mines, 
factory  and  workshop.  Since  the  Indiana  State  Labor  Commission  was 
instituted  in  1897,  it  has  been  the  direct  means  of  peaceably  adjusting  one 
hundred  and  fifty  strikes  and  lockouts,  affecting  25,000  workingmen.  In 
80  per  cent,  of  the  contentions  so  arbitrated,  increased  wages  and  im- 
proved working  conditions  have  resulted,  besides  making  a  saving  to  capi- 
tal and  labor,  by  the  shortening  of  strikes,  amounting,  at  a  conservative 
estimate,  to  more  than  one  million  dollars.  This  has  been  augmented  by 
the  establishment  through  republican  legislation  of  a  bureau  of  factory 
inspection  insuring  better  protection  to  life  from  fire  and  accident,  im- 
proved sanitary  conditions  and  the  suppression  of  abuses  of  child  labor. 

15.  At  the  beginning  of  the  present  State  administration  thousands  of 
Indiana  coal  miners  were  without  employment  and  in  a  condition  of  piti- 
able destitution,  owing  to  the  universal  business  depression  directly  trace- 
able to  the  gross  mismanagement  of  national  affairs  by  a  democratic  ad- 
ministration.   The  Governor  promptly  appointed  a  commission  of  investi- 
gation.   The  result  of  that  humane  policy  proved  highly  gratifying.    He 
issued  an  appeal  for  aid  that  met  with  prompt  and  generous  response. 
The  pressing  necessities  of  the  miners  and  their  suffering  families  were 
speedily  relieved,  arbitration  methods  were  introduced  and  the  sun  of 
prosperity  again  shone  upon  the  mining  industry. 

16.  We  congratulate  the  people  of  Indiana  upon  the  passage  by  the 
republican  legislature  of  1899  of  the  mortgage  exemption  law.    One  hun- 
dred thousand  home  owners  are  now  receiving  the  benefits  of  this  law  in 
the  just  reduction  of  their  taxes. 

17.  We  refer  with  pride  to  the  fact  that  at  the  outbreak  of  the  Span- 
ish-American war  Indiana  was  first  to  report  to  the  President  that  its 
quota  was  full  and  ready  for  the  orders  of  the  commander-in-chief.    It  was 
first  to  pay  its  volunteers  in  full  without  drawing  upon  any  other  source 
than  a  carefully  husbanded  treasury.    It  was  first  to  report  this  back  to 
the  secretary  of  war,  eliciting  from  him  the  response,  "Indiana  is  always 
good  to  her  soldiers"— a  thoughtful  tribute  to  the  record  and  memory  of  our 
revered  and  matchless  chieftain,  the  great  war  Governor,  Oliver  P.  Morton. 
Indiana  may  well  be  proud  of  the  conspicuous  part  it  had  in  the  war  with 
Spain,  and  we  hereby  attest  our  admiration  of  all  the  men  who  so  cheer- 
fully made  personal  sacrifices  to  uphold  the  honor  of  the  nation  and  pre- 
serve the  sacredness  of  the  flag. 

18.  To  the  Indiana  soldiers  now  patriotically  serving  their  country 
in  the  Philippines  we  send  words  of  cheer  and  assurances  of  steadfast 
support.    The  American  flag  and  the  American  soldier  stand  ever  and  al- 
ways for  liberty  and  humanity.    The  insurrection  of  Aguinaldo  is  kept 
alive  by  the  hope  of  Democratic  success  based  on  the  false  cry  of  "im- 
perialism."   We  condemn  this  unpatriotic  policy  as  being  responsible  for 
the  continued  war  in  the  Philippines,  with  its  cost  of  lives,  suffering  and 
treasure. 


NOTE. 


ABBREVIATIONS  : 

Democrat d. 

Independent i. 

People's p. 

Republican r. 

Union u. 

Whig ...w. 


(122) 


INDEX. 


Compiled  by  Anna  G.  Hubbard,  Reference  Librarian,  Indiana  State  Library. 


ABOLITION  KULE,  condemn  frauds  under, 
d.  29. 

Agent  of  state,  favor  abolition  of,  r.  43. 

Aguinaldo,  r.  121. 

Alcohol,  a  study  in  the  schools,  r.  77. 

American  protective  association,  denounce 
principles,  d.  102. 

American  union,  preservation  a  duty,  r.  21. 

Amnesty,  grant  to  rebels,  r.  52. 

Anarchism,  oppose,  r.  78. 

Andrews'  election  law,  d.  86. 

Antietam,  r.  108. 

Appellate  judges,  term,  d.  110. 

Appropriation  bill,  democrats  refused  to 
pass,  r.  76. 

Army  and  navy,  frauds  in,  d.  23  ;  favor  ap- 
propriation, d.  109;  favor  increasing 
navy,  d.  109  ;  favor  enlarging  of  navy,  r. 
113;  oppose  large  standing,  d.  116. 

Arthur,  Chester  A.,  indorse  administration, 
r.  66. 

Assessment;  See  Taxation. 

Attorney's  fees,  collection  from  defendant, 
i.46. 

Australian  ballot,  indorse,  d.  96, 110. 

BAGLEY,  WORTH,  d.  108. 

Baker,  Conrad,  indorse  administration  as 
acting  governor,  u.  32  ;  indorse  adminis- 
tration, r.  40,  44. 

Baltimore,  national  convention,  d.  41. 

Bankrupt  act,  favor  repeal,  d.  56. 

Banks,  not  connected  with  the  government, 
d.5. 

Benevolent  institutions,  republicans  oppose 
appropriations  for,  d.  14 ;  partisan  con- 
trol, d.  68 ;  corrupt  boards,  r.  76 ;  non- 
partisan  control,  r.  92,  99, 105, 120. 

Berkshire,  John  D.,  d.  89. 

Bimetallism,  believe  in,  d.  50,  56,  103,  105; 
See  also,  Currency;  Free  coinage;  Money. 

Black  republican  party,  sobriquet,  d.  14. 

"Blacklisting,"  indorse  law  against,  d.  88, 
97,  111. 

Blaine,  James  G.,  indorse  nomination,  r.  71 ; 
attitude  on  McKinley  tariff  bill,  d.  87 ; 
lament  death,  r.  100. 

Blocks-of-five,  d.  85,  95. 

Bonds,  taxation  of,  d.  32;  paid  in  green- 
backs, r.  34 ;  five-twenty  bonds  payable 
in  greenbacks,  d.  36  ;  ought  to  be  taxed, 
d.  37 ;  war  claim  bonds,  r.  85 ;  See  also 
Government  bonds. 

Bounties,  should  be  regulated,  u.  31;  pro- 
portion to  service,  d.  41;  no  cost  to  re- 
cipient, r.  42  ;  liberal,  d.  61,  r.  72. 

Bright,  Jesse  D.,  indorse  senatorial  actions 
of,  d.  6, 12  ;  present  name  for  president, 
d.  12 ;  condemn,  r.  16. 

Bryan,  William  Jennings,  indorse,  d.  111,115. 


Buchanan,  James,  indorse  administration, 
d.  15,  18;  reference  to  letter  of  accept- 
ance, d.  19;  denounce  administration, 
r.54. 

Buffalo,  national  convention,  d.  21. 

Building  and  loan  associations,  solvency  of 
foreign,  r.  93. 

"Butler  bill,"  legislation  of  1846-47,  r.  40; 
ought  to  be  adopted,  r.  44. 

CANAL  CLAIMS,  fraudulent,  r.  44. 

Capital,  labor  against,  r.  43;  the  master, 
i.  45  ;  favor  legislation  to  control,  r.  119 ; 
See  also,  Labor;  Money;  Monopolies. 

Car-couplers,  r.  99. 

Charities,  state  board  of,  law,  d.  88, 110. 

Charleston,  S.  C.,  convention,  d.  18. 

Children,  age  limit  for  employment,  d.  67, 74, 
r.  76,  83,  d.  111. 

Chicago,  national  convention,  d.  21,  61,  r.  82, 
d.  107, 115. 

Chinese  bondsmen,  import,  d.  61. 

Church  and  state,  no  connection,  d.  5,  11, 
r.53. 

Cincinnati,  national  convention,  w.  8,  d. 
60,61. 

Cincinnati  liberal  republican  convention, 
d.40. 

Circuit  courts  of  the  U.  S.,  jurisdiction  con- 
ferred unwise,  d.  57. 

Citizenship,  against  prosecuting  foreign 
born,  d.  12 ;  indorse  principle  for  Ameri- 
can, d.  13;  distinction  amongst  citizens, 
d.  18 ;  naturalized  citizens  should  be 
protected,  d.  19;  duty  to  protect  all,  d. 
33,  r.  35,  d.  63,  68;  Great  Britain's  idea 
opposed,  r.  35  ;  democrats  fail  to  protect, 
r.76. 

Civil  service,  should  be  reformed,  d.  41, 50,  r. 
53,  d.  63,  r.  66,  d.  68,  r.  78,  d.  80,  116;  dem- 
ocrats fail  to  favor,  r.  76;  abandoned, 
d.85. 

Civil  war,  cause,  d.  21,  u.  24;  purpose,  d.  22; 
rights  acquired  to  be  maintained,  d.  40; 
rights  lost  must  be  restored,  d.  40;  slave- 
holders' rebellion,  r.  42. 

Clayton  amendment,  oppose,  d.  9. 

Cleveland,  Grover,  indorse  administration, 
d.  80,  86,  97, 101, 103. 

Coffey,  Silas  D.,  d.  89. 

Coinage,  See  Free  coinage;  Money. 

Colfax,  Schuyler,  indorse  for  vice-president, 
r.  35;  indorse  for  renomination,  r.  44; 
lament  death,  r.  79. 

Colonies,  against  colonial  domain,  d.  115. 

Commerce,  protect,  d.  18;  indorse,  i.  45,  r. 
113;  with  Mexico,  Central  and  South 
American  states,  r.  91;  interstate,  d.  97. 

Compromise  measures,  sustained,  d.5. 


(123) 


124 


INDEX. 


Congress,  qualifications,  u.  30;  rebel  soldier 
should  not  be  admitted  to  a  seat,  u.  31; 
demand  repeal  conferring  rights  upon 
any  class,  d.  32;  indorse,  r.  39,  42;  as- 
sembling, d. 102. 

Constitution  of  Indiana,  oppose  repeal  of 
13th  article,  d.  29;  oppose  amendment, 
d.  64;  indorse  amendment,  r.  65,  79,  84; 
outgrown,  1851,  r.  71. 

Constitution  of  the  Confederacy,  adhere  to, 
d.10. 

Constitution  of  U.  S.,  15th  amendment,  r.  37; 
denounce  15th  amendment,  d.  37;  amend- 
ment, d.  70. 

Construction,  See  Strict  construction. 

Coolie  systems,  Gov.  Hendricks'  sentiment, 
d.61. 

Corporations,  railroad,  d.  41;  advance  in- 
dustries, i.  45;  watering  stock,  d.  68,  r.  76, 
78;  wage-workers,  d.  74;  legislation  for, 
r.  78;  control  by  legislation,  r.  84;  em- 
ployes sustaining  hospitals,  etc.,  d.  Ill; 
See  also  Monopolies;  Trusts. 

County,  methods  of  business,  r.  84;  reform 
in  government,  r.  120. 

County  officers,  favor  reduction  of  fees,  r.  39; 
defeat  measure,  r.  76;  term,  d.  74. 

County  superintendents,  d.  110. 

Courts,  denounce  criticism  of,  r.  93. 

Credit  Mobilier,  investigation,  r.  47. 

Criminal  law,  favor  revision,  r.  43;  See  also 
Law. 

Crittenden,  John  J.,  indorse  for  vice-presi- 
dent, w.  7. 

Crook,  George,  r.  108. 

Cuba,  favor  acquisition,  d.  18;  sympathize 
with,  d.  106;  independence  withheld,  d. 
115;  spoliation  system,  d.116. 

Currency,  should  be  law  prohibiting  con- 
traction, r.  34;  bill  prohibiting  contrac- 
tion, r.  35;  oppose  contraction,  d.  36; 
founded  on  national  credit,  r.  38;  abolish 
gold  standard,  i.46;  indorse  paper  issued 
by  government,  i.  46;  favor  increase  of, 
r.  48;  specie  resumption  condemned,  d. 
50;  redemption,  r.  53;  greenback,  r.  54; 
right  to  issue,  d.  56;  paper,  d.  60;  taxes 
on  treasury  notes,  d.  60;  parity  of,  d.  96; 
gold  standard,  r.  104, 119;  indorse  16  to  1, 
d.  105,  109;  against  16  to  1,  r.  107,  113; 
against  debasing,  r.  107;  oppose  single 
gold  standard,  d.  109;  sound  money,  r. 
113;  See  also  Greenbacks;  Legal  tender, 
Money. 

DAKOTA,  admission,  r.  76. 

Davis,  Jeffersbn ,  favor  trial  for  treason ,  u.  31. 

Day's  work,  eight  hours,  d.  29,  u.  31,  d.  67, 88, 
97,  111;  reduce,  r.  43;  democrats  fail  to 
reduce,  r.  76. 

Democratic  party,  arraignment  of,  r.  20,  58, 
76,  83,  90,  94,  98, 105  ;  preamble,  d.  5,  9, 11, 
13, 17,  21,  25,  27,  32,  36,  40,  44,  49,  56,  60,  63, 
67,  72,  80,  85,  95, 100, 105,  108, 115. 


Dewey,  George,  d.  108. 

Dingley  law,  condemn,  d.  109,  117;  approve, 
r.  119. 

District  of  Columbia,  oppose  congress  as- 
suming debts  of,  d.  51. 

"  Dorseyites,"  d.  63. 

Douglas,  Stephen  A.,  advocating  non-inter- 
vention, d.  9;  indorse  for  president,  d.18. 

Dred  Scott  decision,  indorse,  d.  14. 

Dudley,  William  Wade,  d.  85. 

Dynamite,  restrain  use,  r.  76. 

EDUCATION,  aid  to  public,  d.  5,  r.  54;  moral 
and  intellectual,  r.  39,  55. 

Educational  institutions,  allowances,  r.  76; 
non-partisan  control,  r.  105. 

Election  laws,  demand  repeal  of,  d.  70;  in- 
dorse reform,  d.  87,  102;  free  elections, 
r.  92. 

Electoral  college,  qualifications,  u.  30;  state 
determine  qualifications,  u.  30. 

Electoral  commission,  no  repeal  from  de- 
cision, r.  59. 

Emancipation,  should  be  complete,  u.  31. 

"  Embezzlement  bill,"  vetoed  by  governor, 
r.20. 

Estates,  settlement,  d.  69. 

Expenditures,  condemn  extravagance,  w.  8, 
d.25,  33,116;  extravagance  of  federal  ad- 
ministration, r.  20;  economy  necessary, 
u.  31,  r.  38,  d.  56;  demand  economy  of  U. 
S.,  r.  34,  39,54,  d.  69, 116  ;  demand  reduc- 
tion, i.  46,  d.  63;  increase  denounced,  i. 
46;  indorse  reduction,  d.  60;  indorse,  d. 
73;  need  of  reform  in  laws,  r.  115. 

FACTORY  INSPECTION,  law,  d.  Ill,  r.  114. 

Fairbanks,  Charles  W.,  indorse  administra- 
tion, r.  114. 

Farmers'  organization,  indorse,  d.  87,  97 ; 
legislation,  r.  92. 

Fees  and  salaries,  demand  legislation,  r.  49; 
declare  for  reduction,  d.  56;  legislation, 
r.  62,  76,  79,  84,114;  revision  of  laws,  r.  72, 
d.  110;  approve  legislation,  r.93;  arraign 
democrats  for  increase,  r.  98. 

"Financial  bureau,"  condemn  Governor 
Morton's  establishing,  d.  25. 

Fillmore,  Millard,  indorse  administration, 
w.  7. 

Food  laws,  favor  pure,  r.  92. 

Force  bill,  denounce,  d.  86,  95. 

Foreign  relations,  non-intervention,  d.  5,  r. 
42;  result  of  intervention,  d.  6. 

Fort  Warren,  prison  of  Slidell  and  Mason, 
d.23. 

Fountain  county,  d.  15. 

Fraud  of  1876-77,  d.70,  82. 

Free  coinage,  unrestricted,  d.  87;  Cleveland 
opposed  legislation,  r.  91;  unlimited,  d. 
109. 

Free  trade,  See  Tariff. 

Freedmen's  bureau,  indorse  bill,  d.  27. 


INDEX. 


125 


GARFIELD,  JAMES  A.,  indorse,  r.  65. 

Garnishee  law,  d.  110. 

General  assembly,  extra  session,  r.  76  ;  con- 
demn attempt  to  unseat  members,  d.  81. 

Government,  local  not  centralized,  d.  36,  40; 
approve  honest,  r.  43 ;  relation  of  state 
and  federal,  r.  52;  condemn  administra- 
tion, d.  57;  demand  obligations  paid  as 
contracted,  d.  106. 

Government  bonds,  favor  payment  in  green- 
backs, d.  32;  purchased  by  people,  r.  112. 

Grand  army  of  the  republic,  r.  100. 

Grand  jury,  jurisdiction,  i.  46. 

Grant,  Ulysses  S.,  indorse  for  president,  r. 
35  ;  indorse  administration,  r.  39,  42,  44, 
55;  indorse  for  renomination,  r.  44;  mon- 
ument to,  r.  79;  lament  death,  r.  79. 

Gray,  Isaac  P.,  indorse  for  vice-president,  d. 
82;  indorse  administration,  d.  97;  in- 
dorse for  president,  d.  97. 

Great  Britain,  d.  22. 

Greeley,  Horace,  accepts  nomination  for 
presidency,  d.  40. 

Greenbacks,  congress  should  supply  de- 
ficiency, r.  34 ;  origin  of,  r.  54  ;  favor 
making  legal  tender,  d.  56  ;  condemn  ex- 
empting from  taxation,  d,  96,  102;  can- 
cellation of,  d.  105. 


HABEAS  CORPUS,  indorse,  d.  22,  25,  40. 

Hancock,  Winfield  Scott,  reinstating  civil 
law,  d.  33;  lament  death,  d.  72. 

Harper's  Ferry,  Va.,  d.  19. 

Harrison, Benjamin,  indorse  as  senator,  r. 66, 
79;  indorse  for  president,  r.  82;  denounce 
administration,  d.85,95;  elected  by  fraud, 
d.  85;  indorse  administration,  r.90, 104. 

Hawaiian  islands,  control  of  domestic  con- 
cerns, d.  103;  denounce  hauling  down  of 
American  flag,  d.  105;  approve  annexa- 
tion, r.  114;  slavery,  d.  115. 

Hay-Pauncefote  treaty,  denounce,  d.  116. 

Hayes,  Kutherford  B.,  democrats  deny  elec- 
tion of,  r.  59,  d.  61;  indorse,  r.  59;  as  a 
soldier,  r.  108. 

Hendricks.  Thomas  A.,  indorse  administra- 
tion, d.  29,  51;  indorse  for  president, 
d.  51,  61;  defrauded  of  office,  d.  57;  ac- 
ceptance of  1876,  d.  61;  lament  death, 
d.  72. 

Henry  of  Navarre,  r.  118. 

Hobart,  Garrett  A.,  lament  death,  r.  118. 

Hobson,  Richmond  P.,  d.  108. 

Homesteads,  favor,  r.  16,  d.  19,  r.  20,  35,  d.  41, 
r.  43, 78,  84. 

Hospital,  marine,  r.  85. 

House  of  representatives,  organization,  d.  12; 
appreciation  of  organization,  r.  21;  con- 
demn  republicans    for    seceding    from, 
d.  25;  democrats  unseat  members,  r.  58. 
Hovey,  Alvin  P.,   indorse    administration, 

r.  92;  lament  death,  r.  100. 
Hungarian  insurrection,  sympathy  with,  d. 6. 


IMMIGRATION,  welcomed,  w.  7,  d.  29;  protect 
from  unjust  exactions,  r.  43;  denounce 
pauper  negro,  d.  61;  approve,  r.  62; 
Chinese,  d.  67,  74;  legislation,  d.  74,  102, 
r.  104,  107,120;  rigid  enforcement  of  law, 
r.  107, 114. 

Imperialism,  democratic  cry,  r.  121. 

Industries,  favor  development,  r.  42:  en- 
courage, r.  62;  laws  for  control,  d.  73,  80. 

Institutions,  out  of  domain  of  party  politics, 
r.  71;  See  also  under  kinds  of  institu- 
tions. 

Intemperance,  See  Temperance. 

Interest,  legal  rate,  d.  56. 

Internal  improvements,  no  vast  amount, 
d.  5;  rivers  and  harbors,  w.  8. 

Internal  policy,  right  to  regulate,  d.  5. 

Ireland,  landed  estates  and  home  rule,  r.  66, 
d.  74,  r.  79. 

JEFFERSON,  THOMAS,  indorsed  education, 
r.  54;  indorse  doctrines,  d.  63, 115. 

Johnson,  Andrew,  approve  message,  d.  27; 
name  presented  for  vice-president,  u.  27; 
indorse,  u.  30;  uphold  policy,  d.  33. 

Judiciary  act  of  1789,  d.  57. 

KANSAS,  favor  admission  as  free  state,  p.  13, 

r.  20. 
Kansas-Nebraska  bill,  indorse,  d.  9,  11,  17; 

oppose,  p.  10, 13. 

Kentucky,  subjugated  condition,  d.  26. 
Kerr,  Michael  C.,  indorse  administration, 

d.29. 

LABOR,  emancipated  from  capital,  r.  43;  im- 
prove condition  of  working  classes,  r.  43; 
cause  of  abuses,  i.  45;  friendly  to  work- 
ing classes,  i.  45,  d.  Ill;  how  wrongs  are 
inflicted,  i.  45;  safety  of  laborers  in 
mines,  d.  60;  legislation,  r.  62,  d.  73, 102, 
106;  favor  protection,  d.64;  protect,  r.66, 
d.  74,  r.  83,  91;  prison,  d.  67,111;  against 
prison  contract,  r.  71,  d.  Ill;  sanitary 
conditions,  r.  71;  conflict,  d.  73;  foreign 
contract,  tl.  74;  freedom  of,  r.  77;  oppose 
foreign  contract,  r.  77;  organizations, 
d.  81;  personal  safety  of  employes,  d.  81; 
arbitration,  d.  88;  prison-contract  sys- 
tem abolished,  r.  114;  See  also  Capital. 

Labor  commission,  created,  r.  114;  approve, 
r.  120. 

Labor  organizations,  indorse,  d.  68,  88,  97, 
106,111;  right  cannot  be  questioned,  r.84; 
legislation,  r.  92. 

Labor  statistics  bureaus,  favors  establish- 
ment, d.  67,  r.  78,  83;  democrats  failed  to 
establish,  r.  76. 

Lake  Michigan,  d.  111. 

Lane,  Henry  S.,  death,  r.  66. 

Lane,  Joseph,  indorse  for  president,  d.  6. 

Law,  enforcement,  r.  78;  of  county  and  town- 
ship, d.  Ill:  See  also  Criminal  law. 

Lawton,  Henry  W.,  lament  death,  r.  118. 


126 


INDEX. 


Lecompton  constitution,  attempt  to  impose 

on  Kansas,  r.  16. 
Legal  tender,  demand  reinstatement,  d.  50, 

56. 
Legislation,  favor  promissory  notes,  r.  62; 

oppose  prohibitory,  d.  73. 
Legislative  apportionment,  unjustly  done, 

d.  57,  r.  76,  83,  99;  approve,  d.  60,  r.  95;  de- 
nounce system,  r.  114. 
Liberty,  civil  and  religious,  d.  12. 
License  tax,  liquor,  d.  73,  81. 
Lincoln,  Abraham,  indorse  for  re-election, 

u.  27;  indorse,  u.  30;   r.  65;    protection 
•  policy,  r.  107. 

Liquor  law,  oppose  prohibitory,  d.  11. 
Liquor  league,  r.  79,  83. 
Liquor  traffic,  favor  license  law,  d.  51,  r.  79; 

local  option,  r.  84,  92. 
Litigation,  excessive,  i.  46. 
Logan,  John  A.,  indorse  nomination,  r.  71. 

MCCLELLAX,  GEORGE  B.,  lament  death,  d.  72. 

McDonald,  Joseph  E.,  indorse  for  president, 
d.  71. 

McKinley,  William,  indorse  for  president, 
r.108;  approve  administration,  r.  113, 118. 

McKinley  tariff  bill,  denounce,  d.  86, 101. 

McKinleyisin,  condemn,  d.  102. 

Madison,  James,  indorse  education,  r.  54. 

Marion  county,  d.  15,  r.  83. 

Mason,  James  M.,  seizure  of  by  government, 
d.23. 

Matthews,  Claude,  indorse  administration, 
d.  103,  107;  indorse  for  president,  d.  107; 
state  debt  reduced  under,  d.  110. 

Metropolitan  police  bill,  d.  69,  r.  72. 

Mine  inspector,  laws,  r.  66;  powers,  r.  83. 

Mines,  ventilation,  d.  56,  r.  71,  d.  111. 

Minneapolis,  national  convention,  r.  98. 

Missouri  compromise,  repeal,  p.  10:  sustain, 
p.  10, 13. 

Moiety  system,  r.  47. 

Money,  U.  S.  notes  equal  with  coin,  d.  73; 
sound,  r.  78;  See  also  Currency,  Green- 
backs. 

Monopolies,  denounce,  r.  43;  money,  trans- 
portation, manufacturing,  public  land, 
commerce,  i.  45;  wage-workers,  d.  74. 

Monroe  doctrine,  indorse  President  Pierce's 
position,  d.  12;  demand  enforcement,  d. 
116. 

Montana,  senators'  seats  stolen,  d.  86. 

Monuments,  soldiers  and  sailors,  r.  71,  d.  74, 
r.  79. 

Morton,  Levi  P.,  indorse  for  vice-president, 
r.  82;  elected  by  fraud,  d.  85. 

Morton,  Oliver  P.,  democrats  condemn 
actions,  d.  25;  indorse  for  re-election,  u. 
27;  indorse  administration,  u.  31,  r.  35; 
praise  ability,  r.  39,  121;  indorse  for  pres- 
ident, r.  55;  indorse  administration,  r. 

,       49,59. 

Mount,  James  A.,  indorse  administration, 
r.  114, 120. 


NATIONAL  BANKS,  denounce  system,  d.  32,36; 
indorse  taxation,  d.  36;  paper,  d.  50;  re- 
tiring circulation,  d.  50,  56. 

National  debt,  made  by  rebellion,  r.  34;  pay 
as  contracted  for,  d.  36,  i.  46;  must  be 
borne,  r.  38;  part  payment,  r.  39;  pay- 
ments, r.  43;  funding  amongst  the  people, 
d.  56;  payments,  d.63;  denounce  issue  of 
interest-bearing  bonds,  d.  105. 

National  government,  state  claims  against 
defeated,  r.  85. 

Natural  gas,  r.  84. 

Naturalization,  laws  invite  citizenship,  d.ll; 
five  years  probation,  p.  13;  favor  present 
laws,  r.  21;  oppose  change,  d.  37. 

Negroes,  immigration  opposed,  d.  29;  equal 
rights,  r.  7i>. 

Nepotism,  Harrison  charged  with,  d.  86. 

Niblack,  William  E.,  indorse  administra- 
tion, d.  29. 

Nicaraguan  canal,  favor  construction  by 
government,  d.  109,  r.  114:  construction,  d. 
116;  recommend  construction,  r.  120. 

North  and  South,  fraternal  feeling  between, 
r.  118. 

Northern  sectionalism,  oppose,  d.  22. 

OHIO,  approve  campaign,  d.  33. 
Olds,  Walter,  d.  89. 
Open  door  policy,  in  China,  p.  116. 
Orange  Free  state,  d.  116. 
Ordinance  of  1787,  p.  10,  r.  54. 

PARLIAMENTARY  PRACTICE,  republicans  at- 
tempt to  depose  presiding  officer,  d.  14; 
republicans  expel  senator  from  Clark,  d. 
14;  republicans  meet  without  quorum 
and  presiding  officer,  d.  14;  republicans 
refuse  to  meet  in  joint  convention,  d.  14; 
republicans  refuse  to  vote  for  senators, 
d.  15;  senators  of  Rush,  Fountain  and 
Marion,  illegally  elected  by  republicans, 
d.  15. 

Party  emblem,  "  rooster,"  d.  117. 

Patents,  favor  revision  of  law,  r.  48. 

Penal  institutions,  law  for  convict  labor,  r. 
99;  non-partisan  control,  r.  105,  120. 

Pendleton,  George  II.,  commend  actions,  d. 
33. 

Pensions,  soldiers  of  1812,  r.  21;  failed  to  pay 
promptly,  d.  25;  soldiers  should  be  pen- 
sioned, d.  26,  r.  72,  78,  84;  no  cost  to 
recipient,  r.  42;  Mexican  war  soldiers,  d. 
57,  68,  r.  78;  soldiers  of  war  of  1812,  d.57; 
liberal,  d.  61,  74,  82,  87,  r.  91,  d.  103,  r.  104, 
107,  d.  109,  r.  113;  oppose  special  tax  bill, 
r.  75;  change  of  laws,  r.  78;  service  bill, 
r.  91. 

Personal  liberty,  republicans  infringe  on,  d. 
18;  suppression  and  arrest,  d.  25;  favor, 
d.  26,  33,  37,  64,  69,  95, 106;  indorse  protec- 
tion, r.  42;  and  equality,  r.  43;  favor,  r. 
^48,  62;  equal,  r.  53;  oppose  sumptuary 
'laws,  d.  103;  laws  for  safety,  d.  Ill;  See 
also  Temperance. 


INDEX. 


127 


Philadelphia,  national  convention,  d.21. 

Philippine  islands,  U.  S.  authority  estab- 
lished in,  r.  119. 

Philippine  war,  result  feared,  d.  115;  imperi- 
alism cry  cause  of,  r.  121. 

Pierce,  Franklin,  indorse  administration, 
d.  9;  Monroe  doctrine  views,  d.  12. 

Pinkerton  detectives,  d.  88,  97,  111. 

Pittsburgh,  national  convention,  d.  21. 

"Pluck-me  stores,"  d.  88,  111. 

Politics,  denounce  corrupt  means,  r.  43;  con- 
demn bribery  methods,  i.  46;  campaign 
money,  d.  51,  70,  82;  campaign  fund  con- 
demned, d.  63;  no  campaign  assessments 
in  civil  service  offices,  d.  63. 

Porter,  Albert  G.,  indorse  administration  as 
governor,  r.  66,  71.  * 

Porto  Rico,  legislation,  d.  115. 

Pratt,  Daniel  D.,  indorse  administration,  r. 
49. 

President,  ineligible  to  re-election,  d.  41. 

Press,  liberty  of,  d.  23. 

Primary  election  law,  favor  legislation,  d. 
Ill,  r.  115, 120. 

Property,  laws  of  assessment  guarded,  d.  41. 

Protestant  church,  condemn  attack  against 
ministry,  p.  10. 

Public  debt,  when  legitimate,  d.  5;  See  also 
National  debt;  State  debt. 

Public  lands,  property  of  people,  r.  35;  oppose 
donations,  r.  38;  for  settlers  and  educa- 
tion, r.  43;  condemn  grants  to  railroads, 
r.  48;  for  citizens  not  speculators,  d.  68, 
73,  r.  78,  d.  81, 106;  non-compliance  of  cor- 
porations, d.  68,  81;  ownership  by  aliens, 
d.  73,  87,  92. 

Public  officers,  union  soldiers  not  confed- 
erates, r.53;  fees,  r.  66;  against  system  of 
fees,  d.  88;  displaced  by  politicians,  r.  72; 
against  successive  terms,  r.  93;  fixed  sal- 
aries, r.  93,  d.  97;  term,  r.  93. 

Public  schools,  See  Schools — Public. 

Public  works,  Board,  favor,  r.  93. 

RAILROAD  PASSES,  opposed  for  public  officers, 
i.46. 

Railroads,  to  Pacific  ocean,  r.  21;  laws  for 
employes,  d.  73;  oppose  insurance  com- 
panies, r.  99. 

Raum,  Green  B.,  d.  96. 

Rebel  claims,  denounce  actions  demanding 
payment,  r.  58. 

Rebel  debt,  repudiation,  d.  28;  denounce 
assumption  as  treason,  u.  31;  oppose 
payment,  d.  51,  r.  54. 

Rebellious  states,  held  in  abeyance,  u.  30. 

Reciprocity,  favor,  r.  104, 107, 113, 119. 

Reciprocity  policy,  condemn,  d.  96. 

Reconstruction  measures,  condemn  radical, 
d.  32;  indorse  President  Johnson's  ideas 
on,  d.  33;  suffrage  to  negro,  r.  34;  de- 
nounce, d.  36;  Morton's  work,  r.  39. 

Reconstruction  period,  votes  of  eleven  states 
rejected,  d.  28;  congress  should  deter- 
mine question,  u.  30;  plan  of  necessary, 
r.  34. 


Reed,  Thomas  B.,  r.  90. 

Religious  freedom,  favor,  d.  11,  29,  r.  53. 

Republican  party,  arraignment  of,  d.  22,  25, 
50, 57,  63,  67,  86,  95, 101, 110,116;  preamble, 
w.  7,  p.  10, 13,  r.  16,  20,  u.  24,  26, 30,  r.  34, 
37,  42,  47,  52, 58,  62,  65,  71,  75,  82,  90,  98, 104, 
107, 112, 118. 

Republican  party  sobriquets,  "Black  repub- 
lican party,"  d.  14. 

Republicanism,  of  Old  World,  sympathy, 
w.  7. 

Resumption  act,  desire  part  repealed,  r.  53; 
favor  repeal,  d.  56. 

Revenue,  increased  collection,  r.  39. 

Revenue  bill,  republicans  vote  against,  d.  14. 

Rivers  and  harbors,  favor  improvement, 
r.92. 

Roads,  legislation,  d.106. 

Rush  county,  d.  15. 

Russia,  against  outrage  committed  by,  d.  6. 

ST.  Louis,  national  convention,  r.  113. 

"Salary  grab,"  r.  47. 

Sandborn  contract,  r.  47. 

School  debt,  funding,  d.  88. 

School  revenues,  apportionment,  d.  88; 
equitable  apportionment,  r.  94. 

Schools— Private,  denounce  law  to  regulate, 
d.89. 

Schools— Public,  indorse,  r.  43, 49,  d.  50,  r.  55, 
d.  56,  61,  r.  62,  d.  64,  68,  r.  72,  79,  84,  d.  89; 
license  tax  for  benefit,  d.  73;  simplifica- 
tion of  laws,  d.  87. 

Schools— Sectarian,  public  school  funds  not 
for,  d.  56. 

Scott,  Winfield,  indorse  for  president,  w.  7. 

Secession,  against,  p.  20;  republicans  reject 
all  propositions  for  adjustment,  d.  22; 
illegal,  d.  27,  r.  52. 

Secret  societies,  oppose  political,  d.  10,  11, 
u.26. 

Senators  of  U.  S.,  popular  election,  d.  87, 
r.  93,  d.  96, 102, 106, 110. 

Seymour,  Horatio,  lament  death,  d.  72. 

Shenandoah,  r.  108. 

Sheridan,  Philip  H.,  r.  108. 

Sherman  silver  act  of  1890,  d.  103, 105. 

Silver  bill,  denounce,  d.  87. 

Sinking  fund,  established,  d.  110. 

16  to  1,  See  Currency. 

Slave  trade,  not  favor  reopening,  d.  19;  pi- 
racy, r.  20. 

Slavery,  oppose  extension,  p.  10, 13,  r.20;  re- 
sist admission  of  territories  as  slave 
states,  p.  13,  r.  16;  no  right  to  interfere 
in  states  in  which  it  exists,  r.  16,  20; 
oppose,  r.  16;  favor,  d.  17,  22;  territory  to 
decide,  d.  19;  domestic,  d.  21;  should  be 
settled  by  congress  or  national  conven- 
tion, d.  22;  emancipated  slaves,  r.  34, 
d.  51,  r.  54. 

Slidell,  John,  seizure  of,  by  government, 
d.23. 

Soldiers,  tribute  to  Indiana's,  d.  23;  praise 
conduct,  u.  24;  Indiana's  thanked,  d.  26. 


128 


INDEX. 


Soldiers  and  sailors,  gratitude,  u.  27,  d.  28, 
u.  31,  d.  33,  r.  34,  38,  d.  41,  r.  42,  48,  55,  62, 
65,  78,  d.  82, 103,  r.  112,  113,  d.  117, 120. 

Soldiers'  home— National,  location  of 
branch,  r.  85. 

Soldiers'  home— State,  for  soldiers,  wives, 
and  widows,  r.  100,  d.  103,  r.  104, 108;  at 
Lafayette,  r.  120. 

Soldiers'  orphan  home,  r.  78,120. 

Southern  secession,  heresy,  d.  22;  See  also 
Secession. 

Spanish- American  war,  affirm  cause  as  just, 
d.  108;  praise  to  soldiers,  r.  112;  Indi- 
ana's record,  r.  121. 

Special  verdict  law,  d.  110. 

Star-route  fraud,  d.  70. 

State  central  committee,  how  and  when 
chosen,  d.  89. 

State  debt,  r.  40;  democrats  increased,  r.  77; 
bonds  to  the  people,  d.  88;  rapid  de- 
crease, d.  110. 

State  house,  indirect  subsidy  to  contractors, 
d.69. 

State  normal  school,  rebuilding,  r.  84. 

State  officers,  popular  election,  r.  93;  See 
also  Public  officers. 

State  printer,  favor  abolition  of,  r.  43. 

State  rights,  no  encroachment,  d.  5;  for,  d.  9, 
13;  adopting  constitution,  r.  16;  slavery, 
d.  17;  oppose  federal  supervision,  d.  41; 
against,  r.  42,  52;  indorse,  d.  60;  favor, 
d.  63;  southern  states,  r.  75. 

Strict  construction,  of  constitution,  d.  5, 17. 

Strikes,  deplore,  d.  56;  favor  national  board 
of  arbitration,  d.  102;  arbitration,  d.  106. 

Subsidies,  oppose  grants  by  federal  govern- 
ernment,  d.  57. 

Suffrage,  accompany  naturalization,  p.  13; 
for  negroes,  d.  29;  denounce  for  negroes, 
d.  33;  for  negroes  result  of  rebellion, 
r.  34;  not  to  be  denied,  d.  40;  gerryman- 
der passed,  r.  77. 

Sulu  islands,  slavery,  d.  115. 

Supreme  court  of  U.  S.,  accept  decisions,  d. 
19;  independence  necessary,  d.  36;  docket, 
r,  76;  perquisites  of  reporter,  r.  76. 

TARIFF— PROTECTIVE,  declaration  for,  w.  8,  r. 
34;  oppose,  d.  28,  101,  117;  indorse,  r.  42, 
53,  77,  78,  90,  91,  104,  113;  approve  reduc- 
tion, r.  66;  demand,  r.  107. 

Tariff-Revenue,  only,  d.  5,  32,  36,  64,  73,  80, 
87,  96,  109,  117;  favor,  r.  38;  See  also 
Revenue. 

Taxation,  laws  unjust,  d.  28;  burdens  to  be 
borne  by  all,  u.  31;  equal,  d.  32:  national 
bank  stock,  d.  36;  demand  reduction,  r. 
38,  d.  74;  oppose  extravagant  local,  r.  39; 
real  estate,  i.  46;  favor  limiting  power  of 
authorities,  r.  49;  U.  S.  notes,  d.  56;  fed- 
eral, d.  63;  unjust  system,  d.63;  demand 
reduction  of  federal  taxes,  d.  67;  state 
taxes,  d.  74;  uniformity  of,  r.  78;  favor 
exemption  laws,  r.  84;  equalizing,  d.  88; 
corporations,  d.  96;  Gov.  Hovey's  recom- 
mendation for  increase,  d.  98;  law  of 


1891,  d.  101;  income  tax,  d.  109,  116r 
inheritance  tax,  d.  109;  state  tax  rate  re- 
duced, r.  114:  stamp  tax,  d.  116;  mortgage 
exemption  law,  r.  121. 

Temperance,  legislation  limited,  d.9,70;  un- 
limited legislation,  p.  10,  13;  oppose 
radical,  d.  29;  indorse,  i.  46:  favor,  r.  48; 
towns  to  decide  concerning  laws,  r.  49; 
license  system,  d.  73;  See  also  Personal 
liberty. 

Temperance  party,  against,  d.  9. 

Text-book  law,  for  schools,  d.  87,  r.  94,  d.  96, 
110. 

Thompson,  Richard  W.,  r.  118. 

Tilden,  Samuel  J.,  defrauded  of  office,  d.  57; 
lament  death,  d.  73. 

Township,  reform  in  government,  r.  120. 

Township  libraries,  legislation,  d.  89. 

Township  trustees,  d.  110. 

Transportation,  facilities  necessary,  i.  45. 

Transvaal,  d.  116. 

Treason,  assumption  of  rebel  debt  denounced 
as,  d.  31;  democrats  plotting,  u.  31. 

Treasury  of  state,  failed  to  investigate  demo 
crats,  r.  77. 

Truancy  law,  favor  revision,  d.  111. 

Trusts,  denounce  affecting  prices,  r.  92;  anti- 
trust law,  d.  110. 

Turpie,  David  W.,  indorse  administration, 
d.  82,  89,96,101,106, 112. 

UNITED  STATES,  referred  to  as  "States  of  the 

Confederacy,"  d.  13. 
United   States   courts,  jurisdiction  in  civil 

causes,  d.  51;  See  also  Circuit  courts  of 

U.S. 

VOLUNTEERS,  \irge  increase  of  forces,  d.  109. 

Voorhees,  Daniel  W.,  expulsion  from  House 
an  outrage,  d.  29,  82;  indorse  administra- 
tion, d.  29,  64,  70,  89,  96,  101,  106;  lament 
death,  d.  112. 

Vote,  unit  vote  for  president,  d.  6,  12,  18; 
unit,  d.  18,  41,51,  61,  71,107;  two-thirds 
rule,  d.  61;  registration  of  voters,  r.  76. 

WABASH  AND  ERIE  CANAL,  resist  re-transfer 
from  bondholders,  r.  16,  21,  d.  19;  stocks 
issued  under  "Butler  bill,"  r.40;  "Butler 
bill"  ought  to  be  adopted,  r.  44. 

Wabash  river,  d.  111. 

Wall  street,  d.  86. 

Wanamaker,  John,  d.  95. 

Washington,  George,  praise,  d.  33. 

Wheeler,  William  A.,  denounce  election  of, 
d.61. 

Whitecaps,  denounce,  r.  92. 

Whitcomb,  James,  indorse  senatorial  ac- 
tions of,  d.  6. 

"Wild-cat"  money,  r.  99, 104. 

Willard,  Ashbel  P.,  indorse  administration 
as  Governor,  d.  15, 18. 

Wilson  revenue  bill,  r.  113. 

Woods,  William  A.,  d.  85,  95. 

Working  classes,  See  Labor. 

Wright,  Joseph  A.,  indorse  administration, 
d.  6,12. 


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